The Alexandra Police Station opened its doors as part of the New Zealand Police Open Day and more than 500 people took the chance to see behind the scenes, as well as look at displays from other emergency services and partner agencies.
Vehicles, equipment and volunteers from the Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade, land search and rescue, Coastguard and St John were included in the day and one of the highlights was the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter, which landed in the police car park and spent two hours on site before leaving to attend a call at Waimate. Victim Support and community road safety were among the partner agencies included in the event.
''It was a fantastic day and it's great that all the organisations could get together and show the amount of equipment available to be used in our community in emergencies - equipment, in some cases, that locals have helped raise funds for,'' Central Otago police sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said.
''It's the sort of equipment you don't normally get to see unless you need the emergency services.''
It had been a ''real family day'' and it was nice to see so many families from all over the district, many on their way home from sports fixtures, he said.
''We wondered how it would go, with people having other commitments on Saturday, like sport, but it's been a very successful day.''
Coastguard Clyde president Tony Smith said the day helped lift the profile of the organisation and gave people ''a chance to see what's out there.''
Jolanda Hancock , of Alexandra, said the display was like '' a boy's playground'' and her young sons enjoyed being able to able to climb into fire engines, police cars and the rescue helicopter.
''I think this day has given them a broader understanding of emergency services, much broader than they'd get in a school visit, for example, because all the agencies are together in one place, '' she said. James Gare (3), of Omakau, said his favourite part of the day was sitting in the helicopter with the head set on ''going like this'' he said, as he mimed talking into a microphone.
His mother, Melissa Gare, said it was good there were so many ''interactive'' displays.
''And how often do you get the chance to see all this, in the right circumstances?'' she said. The helicopter was also a hit with George Levings, of Bannockburn, who said the open day was fun. The cell block, drink-drive bus and a prison van were open for inspection throughout the afternoon.
Police dog handler Sergeant Craig Baron attended, with his dog, Evo, and Sergeant Simon Paget, of Cromwell, demonstrated how road spikes worked, as well as fielding questions.
