Queenstown police were praised yesterday by two of the Southern district's top brass at an awards ceremony in the resort.
Otago Lakes-Central area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen and district commander Superintendent Andrew Coster were in Queenstown to recognise three present and one former member of the resort's force.
During the short ceremony, Insp Jensen said the Southern district was now one of the top in the country, something he attributed to Supt Coster's leadership.
''There's a huge variety of tasks we're called on to perform, often completely out of the blue.
''Our people's ability to rise to any occasion, no matter how unexpected, is [something to be proud of].''
He also paid tribute to the families of those recognised yesterday given ''policing is not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job''.
A long-service medal was presented to Sergeant Steve Watt, for 14 years' service, based in Queenstown since 2007, while Detective Matt Jones received a seven-year clasp for 21 years' service, based in Queenstown for the past 10 years.
Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka, who transferred to the resort earlier this year, had her promotion confirmed, while former constable Beth Fookes was recognised for her service over almost 20 years, having resigned last year to return to nursing.
A ceremony acknowledging the service of Central Otago officers will be held in Alexandra today.
