As the Police National Dive Squad celebrates half a century, former members will come together in Wellington and the public is invited to an open day.
The Dive Squad started in 1967 and since then 85 officers have been part of the squad.
An open day is being held at the base at Seaview Marina, Petone on Saturday June 2 between 10am and 2pm.
The Police launch Lady Elizabeth IV will also be there.
Today the squad consists of 12 officers and five reserves. The youngest is 25 and the oldest will be turning 50 this year.
Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Bruce Adams is looking forward to opening up their doors, showing everyone what they do and celebrating the milestone.
“Last time we had a reunion was 25 years ago so this will be huge, it’s the biggest gathering of past and present squad members we have ever had with 57 confirmed attending.”
All living members of the 1967 original squad will be attending the festivities.
Adams has been in the dive squad since 1992 and says it is one of the most rewarding jobs in Police.
“Sometimes the work isn’t pleasant, it can be gruesome and challenging, but there is a huge amount of satisfaction when you recover someone’s loved one and help them find out what happened so they can move on.”
Over the years a number of jobs have stood out for Adams.
“The really challenging ones you always remember - the Maria Luisa tragedy in 1996, the Kotuku sinking in the Foveaux Strait and of course the rescue of Rob Hewitt.
“The Rob Hewitt one really stands out because rescuing someone in this job is a rarity – it’s only ever happened twice,” he says.
A formal dinner is being held on Friday night for current and former members of the squad.
Former Detective Sergeant Peter Thompson will be attending the event, he was in the dive squad for 25 years from the early 70s onwards.
A rescue that will be fresh in his mind when he catches up with former colleagues, some who he has not seen for 30 years, will be the 1983 rescue of John Hutley.
“It was the most rewarding job I’ve been part of and it will always be fairly unique because we managed to rescue him alive from the upturned fishing vessel after two days.”
Although the technology available to the squad has changed over the years, Thompson says the job itself and the reasons for doing it remain the same.
“It is still about locating whatever you are looking for and providing answers – it’s completely different to day-to-day policing but still so important.”
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre