She devotedly carries the portrait of her late father, Sergeant Alan Reid with her.
Sgt Reid, who served in Otago, died in a car accident when Mrs Allen was in her early 20s. But she vividly recalls the anxiety she would have about her father while he was at work.
"I used to worry a lot as a child about dad and his safety ... you’d always wonder if he was going to come back again because there is that element of danger.
"I was always ever so pleased to see him come back (home)," she said.
Attending the annual service was important to her because she wanted to remember him for the service he and others had given the community.
"I like to pay my respects to them all ... because they do such a good job.
"I really feel for the policemen that have lost their lives on duty."
Time was taken each Police Remembrance Day for the public, family, friends as well as current and past police force staff to remember those who had been killed on duty.
Invercargill had one officer killed on duty on September 25, 1976, while three officers serving in Dunedin had died.
September 29 was chosen because it was the feast day of the Archangel Michael who was the patron saint of police.
A Roll of Honour of the names of police and traffic officers slain on duty since 1886 was read out as part of the commemoration.
Staff throughout the country wore the Huia pin which incorporated the Police chevron. The tail plumage of the extinct Huia bird was considered by Māori to be a great honour.
Inspector Stu Harvey said the job had always contained an element of risk but the training helped frontline staff to deal with each situation as it arose.
He felt compassion for the parents of young staff who had joined the force.
"Everyone has family back home and it must be stressful on them — the partners, their children, their mums and dads.
"But as an organisation, we’re doing everything we can to keep people safe. But there’s a risk. It’s a risky job.
"We’ve always had people that go outside the sphere of the law and people pushing the boundaries. We just deal with in a professional manner."
Educating the community was an important part of the role, Insp Harvey said.
"I think it’s an important thing for people to understand is that we’re all just human beings that go out and do a job every day. It’s a different job from other people and it can be tough at times, but I can say with real confidence that our people here, and throughout New Zealand are doing it to serve the community and help the community."
In high-stress situations, professionalism supported staff, but other support systems would wrap around to prevent long-term effects on staff mental health and welfare, he said.
- By Toni McDonald
Otago and Southland’s remembrance roll includes:
Constable James Butler, 29, was attacked while trying to control an offender in the Dunedin Police cells. Died: January 2, 1938.
Constable Donald Stokes, 23, was injured in the cells at Dunedin. Died August 15, 1966.
Constable Peter Murphy, 21, was shot while attending a sporting store burglary in Invercargill. Died: September 25, 1976.
Sergeant Stewart Guthrie, 41, shot at Aramoana during an attempt to arrest a multiple murderer. Died: November 13, 1990.
