Police Commissioner Peter Marshall praised the recipients of Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Royal Honours announced today, saying they reflect the extraordinary achievements and service made by many New Zealanders, including police staff.
Seven members of police including six serving officers feature in the Royal Honours List recognising a broad range of leadership, command, investigative and community based contributions.
They are:
• Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff, Christchurch, - Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
• Sergeant Noel Bigwood, Otaki Police – Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
• Detective Dennis O’Rourke, Palmerston North – MNZM
• Detective Inspector Andrew (Jim) Gallagher, Counties Manukau Police – Queen’s Service Medal - QSM
• Inspector Brendon Gibson, NZ Police Training Service Centre – QSM
• Senior Sergeant Richard McPhail, Gore – QSM
• Mr John Ransfield, Bay of Plenty – QSM.
Commissioner Marshall said: “I’m delighted that the work these people have done, in professional and voluntary capacities, has been recognised in such a way. I know that recipients do not seek out reward and are genuinely surprised and humbled to receive a Royal Honour.
“Today’s announcement is warmly greeted by New Zealand Police colleagues and the communities in which these men live and work. It’s wonderful recognition for the contribution these people are making.”
Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff, ONZM, was responsible for coordinating the Police response to the Christchurch earthquakes. He was also the Relief Operation Commander for the Pike River mine disaster; the National Road Policing Manager from 2005 to 2007; and the Canterbury Police District Commander from 2007 to 2011 when he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner – South.
The ONZM citation recognises his reassuring leadership, excellent communication skills and wide respect for getting the job done.
Sergeant Noel Bigwood, receives the MNZM for his more than 30 years service to Land Search and Rescue and with the Mountain Safety Council.
The Officer In Charge of Otaki police is heavily involved with search and rescue in Horowhenua and has been a volunteer assessor of bush craft instructors for the Mountain Safety Council.
Detective Dennis O’Rourke, MNZM, has served in police for 43 years. His Royal Honour reflects his extensive voluntary community work. This includes 30 years service in the Territorial Force; 22 years service with the Lions organisation; his involvement as a trustee of the Airways Gallery Trust in Palmerston North; the Camp Quality Trust, and the Royal Aeronautical Society, Manawatu branch.
Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher, QSM, is the field crime manager for Counties Manukau Police and has spent 30 of his 34 years in police with the CIB. He’s one of New Zealand’s most experienced investigators and has led many high profile and complex cases. He’s has served with distinction as a contingent commander to the Solomon Islands, and as a New Zealand Police liaison officer in Fiji. In 2009 he was seconded to oversee the establishment of the Child Protection Implementation Project Team which resulted from a backlog of child abuse cases. The citation notes his commitment, credibility and ability to marshal resources that has led to a number of lasting and positive changes in the investigation of child abuse.
Inspector Brendon Gibson, QSM, has been in New Zealand Police for 35 years and has led national police dog training at Trentham since 2002. He’s been instrumental in the development of the police dog training centre which is internationally recognised as a centre of operational and breeding excellence.
Senior Sergeant Richard McPhail, QSM, was deployed to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake operation as commander of the mortuary phase. He was instrumental in mobilising, setting up and managing mortuary requirements as part of the Disaster Victim Identification process following the 22 February tragedy. He has led Southland Police Search and Rescue since 1999 and has been on the police national DVI team since 2003, including deployments to Phuket, the Solomons and Australia.
Mr John Ransfield, QSM, is of Te Arawa, Tainui, Ngai Tahu, Raukawa, Tuhoe and Ngati Porou descent. He has been a firearms licensing vetter in the Eastern Bay of Plenty for 20 years, and has been with the Mountain Safety Council for more than 30 years. Mr Ransfield has volunteered his energy to promoting firearms safety and licensing compliance – spending many hours of his time implementing firearms safety programmes in rural Bay of Plenty, East Coast and the Far North.
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