NZ Police Remembers Staff Who Have Died

New Zealand Police National News Release

26 September 2008

New Zealand Police will join police services throughout Australia and the South Pacific on Monday to remember staff who have been slain or killed on duty as well as staff who have died over the past year.

The New Zealand Police Remembrance Service is being held at The Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) on Monday 29 September, 11am-12 noon.

The RNZPC is home to a national memorial to the New Zealand police officers and traffic officers who have been slain on duty since New Zealand Police was formed in 1886. At this year's service a plaque will be unveiled to honour Sergeant Derek Wootton, killed while laying road spikes in Titahi Bay in July.

The plaque for Sergeant Don Wilkinson, killed on duty recently in Mangere will be added to the memorial wall at a later date.

Staff being remembered this year include Road Policing National Manager Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald (1974 - 2008), and Senior Sergeant Geoff Hancock (1988- 2008), an instructor at the Police College who died suddenly in March this year.

Other staff being remembered include Constable Roa Morrissey (1944-1980) who was one of the third intake of women to NZ Police, Commissioner Robert Walton (1946-1983) and Sergeant Alan Symes (1951-1981) who, in 1956 was the first NZ Policeman to join the dog unit at Trentham.

A total of 63 serving and former staff members will be remembered at this year's service.

The Hon Darren Hughes, Commissioner Howard Broad, and Deputy Commissioners Lyn Provost and Rob Pope will be present along with representatives of the High Commissions of Australia and Pacific nations.

ENDS

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