Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff, Rangiora, ONZM, for services to the New Zealand Police and the community
Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff was responsible for coordinating the Police response to the Christchurch earthquakes. His reassuring leadership as the lead spokesperson for Police at daily media briefings, during the State emergency after each Christchurch earthquake, has received wide acclaim. He had the difficult task of relaying the news of the deceased and for announcing the move from rescue to recovery of bodies. He was also the relief Operation Commander during the Pike River Coal Mine disaster. He was the National Road Policing Manager from 2005 to 2007. As Canterbury District Commander from 2007 to 2011, he oversaw the successful implementation of programmes to address under-age prostitution, family violence, missing persons, and alcohol-induced disorder. Assistant Commissioner Cliff is widely respected for his strong desire to ‘get the job done’ and his friendly, approachable manner means that he builds effective relationships with people in a wide range of sectors.