Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 September 2015

Police Remembrance Day

This week, Police staff and others have been wearing the distinctive huia feather-shaped Police Remembrance Pin as they reflect on those who have lost their lives in service to the society they swore to protect. Police Remembrance Day falls on the 29th of September, the feast day of the Archangel Michael, patron saint of police, and is being observed with a service at the Royal New Zealand Police College, and in services around the country.

“Every police officer knows they work in a unique and inherently risky profession. Increasingly, police are faced with potentially life-threatening situations even in the course of ‘routine’ tasks. With so many near misses in recent times we are thankful to not be adding another name to the Memorial Wall,” Police Association President Greg O’Connor said.

“These near misses include officers being confronted by armed offenders in Ohakune, Motueka and Upper Hutt in recent months, along with the attack on an officer outside a WINZ office in Foxton and the incident outside Waitakere Hospital late last year where two unarmed officers managed to control an armed gunman.”

The Police Remembrance Pin was designed by the Police Association as a way for members of Police across New Zealand to feel part of the day. Introduced in partnership with NZ Police, the pin has been promoted and embraced as the symbol of police remembrance in New Zealand.

“A growing number of police and others are now wearing the Police Remembrance Pin on Remembrance Day, and in the days leading up to it, as a sign of respect for those who have lost their lives. It is humbling for police to see the widespread support from their colleagues and other New Zealanders for the sacrifices police officers have made for their safety,” Mr O’Connor said.

This year, the names of 38 New Zealand Police employees and staff who died as a direct result of their duties will be read out at the Remembrance Day service, along with the 29 officers slain on duty and the serving and former staff who have died in the past year. It is the first time that police killed on duty have been officially recognised at the national service.

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