Police also showed their appreciation to a Dunedin mother and son who helped ensure the swift arrest of three armed robbers earlier this year.
Detective Inspector Steve McGregor, the Southern police district crime manager, was awarded a NZ Police bronze merit award for his role in co-ordinating between 2004 and 2007 Operation Austin, the criminal investigation of serious sexual offending by police officers in the 1980s.
Dunedin detective Liz Forde was recognised by the police commissioner for 10 years of work in the field of the forensic interviewing of children and teenagers who have been the victims of serious crime.
Her commendation said her competence and leadership in the area not only avoided extra trauma for victims but had resulted in a very effective forensic interviewing team now operating in Dunedin.
Dunedin woman Joanne Nolan and her son Cory Craik (15) were awarded certificates of appreciation from the police after they followed, in their car, an armed robber as he left a dairy on foot until he reached a vehicle, then gave the vehicle's registration number to the police.
Mrs Nolan said she and her son were just pleased to help.
"Like in the olden days when people used to help people - there's none of that any more. It's just nice to think we did something to help someone."
She, her son and his friend had been driving past the 10 O'Clock Dairy, in Prince Albert Rd, St Kilda, when they saw a man run out with a knife in his hand and followed him.
Long-serving police staff member Jim Doyle, who has recently retired, was awarded a certificate of service, and family violence co-ordinator Sergeant Jan Craig was presented with an equity and diversity award for her work on family violence and with victims of abuse and on improving responses to family violence in Dunedin.
Awards.-14-year long service and good conduct: Snr Const Andrew Marr; Det Margo Kennedy; Snr Constable Helen Fincham-Putter; Snr Sgt Craig Brown; Snr Constable Timothy Anderson.
14-year long service badge: Judy Fitzgerald.
21-year clasp: Snr Sgt Steve Aitken; Snr Constable Lindsay Turner; Det Sgt Chris Henderson; Snr Constable Mal Parker.
28-year clasp: Det Snr Sgt Kallum Croudis; Det Dave Checketts35-year clasp: Sgt Paul Knox.
Certificate of Promotion: Snr Sgt Mel Aitken; Snr Sgt Matenga Gray; Det Insp Steve McGregor.
Certificate of Service: Jim Doyle.
Equity and Diversity Award: Sergeant Jan Craig.
District Commander's Commendation: Peter Esquilant.
District Commander's Certificate of Appreciation: Joanne Nolan; Cory Craik.
Commissioner's Commendation: Detective Liz Forde.
Bronze Merit Award: Detective Inspector Steve McGregor
