Thursday, 28 August 2008 - 10:45am |
National News

Superintendents Searle and Bush new Police District Commanders

2 min read

New District Commanders for the Waitemata and Counties Manukau Police Districts have been announced this morning by the Commissioner of Police, Howard Broad.

Mr Broad said that Superintendent Bill Searle would take over the command of Waitemata and Superintendent Mike Bush the command of Counties Manukau.

Superintendent Searle succeeds Viv Rickard who leaves the role on promotion to Assistant Commissioner of Operations based in Wellington. Superintendent Bush succeeds Steve Shortland who has been promoted to the role of Assistant Commissioner Auckland.

"Superintendent Searle comes to the District Commander role with 26 years service and Superintendent Bush with 30 years experience in New Zealand Police. They will each bring comprehensive knowledge, skills and talents to benefit two of our largest and most diverse districts," said Mr Broad.

"Today's appointments complete the overall command picture in the Auckland region and ensure we have the right team to take the organisation forward in the three districts and across the pan-Auckland functions.

"I congratulate the two new appointees and expect them to quickly get to grips with the complexities of managing policing services in the fastest growing areas of New Zealand," said Mr Broad.

Superintendent Searle:

Graduated from Police College in 1982

Filled various GDB and CIB roles in Auckland City and South Auckland including joining Auckland CIB in 1986 and designated Detective in 1988.

Uniform Sergeant in South Auckland in 1991

Detective Sergeant in South Auckland 1992

Uniform Senior Sergeant in South Auckland in 1994

Officer in Charge of Otara 1994

Detective Senior Sergeant in Auckland Services District 1997

Area Controller/OC Station Otahuhu/Papatoetoe 2001- 2002

Policing Development Manager at the rank of Inspector (Waikato) 2002- 2005

Promoted to Supt as Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner Resource Management 2005 - 2007

First National Manager Community Policing April 2007 to present.

Strong operational background in several districts including being involved in numerous operations including homicide, sexual violation, complex fraud and other serious crime investigations and other major operations.

Superintendent Bush:

Graduated Police College in 1978

Initially served in Rotorua and then Auckland

First Detective in Kaitaia 1987

1995 Officer in Charge of Interpol, PNHQ at rank of DSS

1997 Officer in Charge CIB North Shore

2002 Crime Manager Bay of Plenty District at rank of Detective Inspector

2003 - 2007 NZ Police Liaison Officer to South East Asia based in Bangkok.

2007 to present - Crime Services Manager Waitemata District

CIB career has seen him undertake numerous investigations including homicides, aggravated robberies, complex fraud and sexual violation cases, internal disciplinary cases. Led the successful hunt for Paremoremo Prison escapees Arthur Taylor and Graham Burton and first NZ Police officer and Embassy official into Phuket after the Asian Tsunami.

Further information:

Media Services (04) 474 8856

A/Hrs (026) 10 10 82