Behind every name…

We read their names every year, but they are never just names.

At Remembrance Day services around New Zealand today, we remembered the men and women, colleagues, friends and whānau who answered the call to serve - but paid the ultimate price.

The national service at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) saw wreaths laid at the Memorial Wall in honour of the 34 officers slain through criminal activity, from 1890 to the tragedy in Nelson on New Year’s Day 2025.

The names were read of 67 Police staff identified as otherwise having died in the line of duty; and 15 serving and 92 retired or former staff who died in the past year, including retired Commissioner Ken Thompson.

Assistant Commissioner Corrie Parnell, speaking on behalf of Commissioner Richard Chambers, acknowledged former RNZPC Commandant retired Chief Superintendent Maurie Cummings, who was among the guests and whose father, Constable Andrew Cummings, died in the line of duty in 1946.

"This reminds us all that behind every name we hear today is a family, a story and a loss that continues to be felt," said Corrie. 

"I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to all those grieving loves ones whose names we acknowledge and remembered today."

He added a personal note about colleagues lost: "I remember the exact moments of those phone calls advising that one of our colleagues had tragically lost their life while going about their duties.

"Such news has a profound effect on us all and an everlasting, enduring impact for those left behind, particularly for families."

Corrie highlighted significant anniversaries for officers named on the Memorial Wall: 60 years since the death of Constable Donald Stokes; 50 years for Constable Peter Murphy; 40 years for Traffic Officer Robin Dudding; and 30 years for Constable Glenn McKibbin.

It is also 40 years since Constable Glenn Hughes and Senior Sergeant Philip Ward were lost when the Wellington Police launch Lady Elizabeth II capsized.

"While decades may have passed, the significance of their sacrifice is not diminished," he said. 

"Commissioner Richard Chambers is today in Hawke’s Bay with the McKibbin family as they reflect on Glenn’s life and legacy, just as we reflect on the legacy of all we have lost."

Remembrance Day was being marked today across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific. The national service acknowledged four officers lost in the past year in Western Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

Corrie acknowledged the Recognition Project, led by the Police Museum to ensure staff lost in the line of duty are properly acknowledged. This year sees the addition of two names: Constables William Luke, of Christchurch, who died in 1918, and David Dickson, of Invercargill, who died in 1925.

"More than a century after their deaths, we remember them together for the first time. It is a powerful reminder that no matter how many years pass, we remain committed to remembering."

He also paid tribute to the recently retired Alan Richards, whose 52 years’ service included a key role in organising every Remembrance Day service at the RNZPC since the first in 1989.

"Thank you for your extraordinary service, the care and aroha you have shown in preserving this important tradition… thank you for helping ensure we never forget."

Wreaths were laid at the Memorial Wall on behalf of Commissioner Chambers, the Minister of Police and Australian Federal Police, before a rousing haka performed by recruits.

Those recruits, said Corrie, honour those who went before them. "They also make a commitment of their own: a commitment to serve with courage, integrity, professionalism and compassion, and to carry forward the legacy of those we remember today."

He spoke of the responsibility of leadership to safeguard and enable Police staff as they go about their duty. "Daily I am in awe of the work our people do day and night 365 days a year." 

He thanked family members for attending the service to remember their loved ones. “They served in different roles and different places but each made a valuable contribution to Police and their communities.

"Today we honour their lives and their service."

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them.