Sergeant Richard Spendelow, of Auckland, QSM
For services to the New Zealand Police. Sergeant Spendelow is the Youth Prosecutor for Counties Manukau, the busiest Youth Court in New Zealand. He is known around New Zealand for his skill in working with youth, and is a regular presenter at the Police College in Porirua. He is often called upon by Police around the country, frequently outside of his normal working hours, to give advice on cases that involve young people. He is prosecutor for the Pasifika Youth Court in Mangere. His deep knowledge of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989, and his principled application of it, is highly regarded by the Courts, the wider Police, and young people and their families. He works closely with officials from Child, Youth and Family, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education in developing robust and effective outcomes for young people. Sergeant Spendelow is highly regarded for his ‘firm but fair’ approach and his good grace and compassion in his role as prosecutor.
From L: Sergeant Richard Spendelow, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Lady Susan Satyanand, Commissioner Peter Marshall