An officer who shot a gunman who had already fired at him and was threatening other Police staff with a loaded rifle was this week presented with the New Zealand Bravery Medal (NZBM).
After receiving the award from Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House, Wellington, Officer S – whose identity is suppressed – says he felt humbled by the honour.
“We don’t join or go to work each day expecting to get an award,” he says. “We do it because we want to help our communities and keep our communities safe.”
Officer S was among the first police officers on the scene after a man fired a rifle in the Upper Hutt McDonald’s restaurant at lunchtime on 8 September 2015.
As he and another officer approached, the gunman fired twice, narrowly missing Officer S. The offender walked toward a busy road and Officer S stepped out from cover and called for him to drop the rifle.
The agitated and aggressive gunman repeatedly challenged Officer S to shoot him but for about 10 minutes Officer S continued talking to him, asking him to surrender.
When the gunman turned and raised the rifle toward two other officers who had arrived with a police dog, Officer S fired. The gunman died at the scene despite first aid efforts.
“Being shot at is something no police officer wants to have happen to them but, when I reflect back on it, I had a job to do,” he says.
“People have asked if I felt scared during the incident. I tell them I can’t really remember and didn’t have time to think of that as I had a job to do. I needed to go forward to ensure I kept members of the public safe, at the same time keeping my team safe.”
Officer S says he has had great support from his bosses and colleagues throughout the investigative process arising from the shooting.
“The biggest thing for me is that my colleagues trusted my decision-making,” he says.
“They trusted in my ability to make the correct decision – that the decision would keep them safe and keep others safe.
“To have my colleagues who were with me on the day and my family at the investiture was amazing. It was great to have their support. I’ve had their support since the incident, right through.”
The presence of Commissioner Mike Bush and other members of the Executive at the investiture was another plus. “Having support from the top ranks, the Commissioner saying I did an amazing job, reinforces for me why I come to work.”
His message to other staff is to trust their training. “I did my training and that’s essentially what it came down to,” he says.
“I was trusting what I’d been taught and following the processes that have been put in place for us.
“I said that to the Commissioner, that it’s testament to the training we get that I was able to use my training and resolve the situation without anyone else getting hurt.”
A number of other members of Police staff have already received awards for their actions during the incident. The restaurant manager received the New Zealand Bravery Decoration.
During a reception before the investiture, Commissioner Bush acknowledged “the wonderful work” of all Police staff who responded to the incident on 8 September.
“We as Police put our staff into many situations, some of which are the most complex, difficult and demanding situations that people could imagine,” he said.
“We expect them to make incredible decisions, sometimes in split seconds. We equip people to do the job to the best of their ability to help keep our communities safe.
“Know that we will support you in your decision-making.”
He acknowledged that the impact of such events could stay with the people involved forever.
“It took real courage and was outstanding work,” Commissioner Bush said.