Police Remembrance Day Service

Tēnā koutou katoa, koutou ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa, o Āhitereiria, o Nga Moutere. Koutou ngā pouaru me ngā whānau, aku mihi māhana ki a koutou, i tēnei rā whakamaumāhara. Kia ora huihui tatou katoa. 

Greetings to all of the police officers of Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia and of the Pacific Islands.  To the families who have lost loved ones, my warm greetings to you on this day of remembrance.  Greetings to us all gathered here today.

I specifically acknowledge: Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Police; and Commissioner Peter Marshall and Deputy Commissioners Mike Bush and Viv Rickard; Rear Admiral Jack Steer, Vice Chief of Defence Force; Judge David Carruthers, Chair of the Independent Police Conduct Authority; Padre David Dell, National Chaplain for the New Zealand Police; and Ambassadors, High Commissioners and members of the Diplomatic Corps – tēnā koutou katoa.

It’s an honour to be here today, to join you all for the New Zealand, Australian and South Pacific Region Police Remembrance Day.

Every year, on Anzac Day, New Zealanders say of our war dead: “We will remember them.”  It is only fitting that we should do the same for the police officers who have died in the line of duty – in particular those 29 New Zealand police and traffic officers who have lost their lives as a result of criminal action and the 17 who have died by accident on duty.  And in 2012 policemen and women remember 81 colleagues.

Police Remembrance Day provides the opportunity to pause and reflect on their sacrifice.   And in relation to this ceremony, it is perhaps appropriate we hold it at the Police College. 

In doing so, we recall the stories associated with some of the names on the Memorial Wall – stories of valour that will not be forgotten.

We remember police officers the likes of Constable Neil McLeod, killed in 1890, of Constables Jordan, Best and Tulloch and Sergeant Cooper who were gunned down by Stanley Graham in 1941; the bravery of Sergeant Stu Guthrie, who posthumously won the George Cross for his actions at Aramoana; and most recently, Senior Constable Len Snee’s death while executing a search warrant in Napier in 2009.

Edmund Burke said “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”.  As a society, we ask much of those good police men and women who take on the responsibility of protecting their fellow citizens. In doing so, they put themselves at risk.

That is why, all around the country today, police officers will be attending ceremonies like this.  Many will be proudly wearing The Remembrance Day Pin. The two elements of the Pin, the Police chevron on a huia feather, show both the honour and loss of those precious lives that were cut short. It is fitting that funds raised from the sale of these pins will help the families of officers who have lost their lives while carrying out their duties.

On Police Remembrance Day we also remember all members of the Police, serving and retired, who have died over the past year.  To all whānau who have come here today to honour their loved ones, my sincere condolences.  The thoughts of our nation are with you.

Today we also pay tribute to police officers from Australia and the South Pacific region who have lost their lives.  Our thoughts are with their families and we feel their loss.

As the Queen’s representative in New Zealand and representing all New Zealanders, it is always a great pleasure to have the opportunity to recognise outstanding Police service by investing those who have received New Zealand Royal honours in the Queen’s Birthday and New Year’s Honours lists.

As Governor-General, I am proud that the New Zealand Police force is considered to be one of the best-performing services in the world.  It is satisfying to know that New Zealanders in the annual Citizens’ Satisfaction Surveys confirms increased confidence and trust in our Police.  Maintaining its consistently high standards of integrity, ethics and conduct is a mighty challenge. Yet it is a worthy goal, just as it is for the rest of the community.

Looking ahead, Police Remembrance Day, like ANZAC Day, reminds New Zealanders of the work of our police  officers, who face dangers every day in keeping us and our communities safe.

I have no doubt that the stories associated with the lives of our police heroes will continue to inspire contemporary police officers in the way they carry out their duties – to make a real difference to their communities and to the New Zealand Police.  For keeping the peace, for maintaining our safety – we remember!  Kia ora, kia kaha, kia manawanui, huihui tātou katoa—go well, be strong, be courageous.