Counties Manukau Police is tomorrow hosting the Auckland Metropolitan Police Awards at the Vodafone Events Centre. The event is a celebration of outstanding work and contribution to the Police and the conmmunity in the three Auckland Police Districts (Counties Manukau, Auckland City and Waitemata) by Police officers, Police employees and members of the public.
Counties Manukau Police District Commander Superintendent John Tims says that the awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognise the exceptional work done in the community.
“It’s to celebrate the success we have had as a District and the role individual Police staff play to keep our community safe. It’s also an opportunity to recognise the contributions of members of the public who assist us in our work. This is an important occasion to remind everyone of how we can work together to keep our community safe."
Maori King Tuheitia will be attending the event with his family and will be welcomed to the event with a formal powhiri. Additionally the Counties Manukau Police District Commander’s Choir will be performing a number of items with Tina Cross.
Media are invited to speak with the following award recipients following the ceremony (recipients from Counties Manukau District):
Mr Craig Young
Whilst cycling with his family on Sunday 22 June 2014, at Kiwi Esplanade, Mangere Bridge, Mr Young saw a woman in the Manukau Harbour climbing onto the mud flats. The female was screaming for help and struggling in the deep mud approximately 200 metres from the shore. She appeared exhausted and kept falling over. He called 111 and made his way into the water where he assisted Constable Ross Knowles, the attending Police Officer, with her rescue. The mud was knee deep and the rocks and shells were dangerously sharp causing cuts. Mr Young’s actions are of the highest order and are to be commended.
Sergeant Alison Collins
Sergeant Collins was incident controller at a violent disorder on 26 July 2014 in Gilbert Road, Otara, where 20 people were alleged to have been fighting with bats, bottles and knives. On attendance Sergeant Collins responded to a woman who was unresponsive and receiving CPR. Sergeant Collins took control of the scene and took over CPR whilst the surrounding crowd became angrier and agitated until the arrival of the ambulance. This was a violent and dangerous situation involving a number of people. It is certain that Sergeant Collins’ actions ensured that the young woman did not pass away.
Constable James Napier and Constable Corbin Elliott
Constable Napier and Elliott located a young man unconcious in the Carls Junior car park, Otahuhu on 13 September 2014. He was slumped against a wall, had shallow breathing and was unresponsive. There was also an excessive amount of blood at the scene due to a severed artery in his arm. Constables Napier and Elliott applied immediate first aid and assisted Ambulance staff on their arrival. The man was transferred to Hospital in a life threatening condition, but because of the professional and quick actions of the two Constables, the man survived his injuries. It is noteworthy that at the time of this incident, Constables Napier and Elliott had less than one year’s service each with NZ Police. Their actions are of the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police and are to be commended.
Media are welcome to attend the powhiri/welcome and performances only, starting at 9am, however access to the awards presentation that follows is restricted. Any media wishing to interview recipients should RSVP to Kimberley Mathews, Communications Manager, Counties Manukau Police on kimberley.mathews@police.govt.nz. Please gather in the Vodafone Events Centre foyer at 11am.
ENDS
Issued by Kimberley Mathews/Communications Manager, Counties Manukau Police
021 192 0717