Police Minister Opens the “Bob Walton Tactical Training Tower”

Plans were first made in the 1970’s for the addition of climbing-tower at the Royal New Zealand Police College, now some 30 years later those plans are now being realised with the official opening by the Police Minister of the “Bob Walton Tactical Training Tower”.

New Zealand Police Association President, Greg O’Connor said, “The Police Association believes one of the most effective ways to improve the safety of police officers, is to increase their range of skills. For that reason, the Police Association has committed significant resources to getting this project completed.” Mr O’Connor said “We have named the tactical Training Tower after the former Commissioner of Police, Bob Walton – a “cop’s cop”- a well-respected leader. Sadly Bob Walton passed away in 2008, but this Tower will stand in memory of his towering contribution to Police and policing throughout his career.”

“There is a very real connection between Bob Walton and the Police specialist squad members that will be among those that benefit from the completion of this tower. Bob was a leading member of the team that established the NZ Police Armed Offenders Squad and as Commissioner in 1979 following the Granville train disaster in New South Wales, he established a specialist disaster victim identification team which was then sent to the harsh site of the fatal plane crash at Mt Erebus, Antarctica,” said Mr O’Connor

The Wellington Search and Rescue Team will demonstrate their drills for affecting a rescue on a building at the opening. Mr O’Connor said, “While specialist squads like the AOS and Search & Rescue are obvious groups who will benefit from such a facility, it is the frontline response officers who are invariably first on the scene at all incidents, criminals and otherwise, who will also gain an expanded skill-base and have the confidence to assist the public in every way.”

ENDS

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