POLICE OFFICERS COMMENDED

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26151, 29 June 1950, Page 3

POLICE OFFICERS COMMENDED

REWARD AND RECORD OF MERIT GRANTED

“ COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY”

“It has been suggested in Wellington that a history of the Police Force be written. I feel sure that, if this is done, the names of the two sergeants and three constables will appear in it for their exemplary police conduct under fire,” said Mr T. E. Holmes, Superintendent of Police at Christchurch, in a message read at a police parade at the Christchurch., Central Police Station yesterday, when two sergeants and three constables were presented with monetary rewards and records of merit.

The parade was attended by members of the force from the central and suburban stations.

Inspector G. H. L. Holt, who acted as deputy for the superintendent, read the following letter of commendation from the Commissioner of Police (Mr J. Bruce Young):—

“Sergeant Oswald Denis Wilkes is granted a reward of £lO and a record of merit for the high order of leadership and courage displayed in dealing with a situation which arose through Aircraftman W. H. Momo running amok with a rifle at Weedons Air Force station on December 14, 1949. “The Minister in charge of Police has specially directed me to convey his personal commendation to the sergeant.’ ’

Sergeant Gerald Michael Cleary received similar commendation, with the same reward and record of merit.

Constables Leicester Trevor Weston, Eric Bruce Wallace, and Roger George Gargett, each received a reward of £5 and a record of merit for their “courage and devotion to duty in the execution of orders given by their officers’’ when dealing with the situation at Weedons. They also received the personal commendation of the Minister.

Inspector Holt, congratulating the sergeants and constables, said that the police were called upon to deal with all types of cases and situations. They could not say they wanted danger money or dirt money before they tackled a job. They carried out their duties as they had taken the oath to the King and Government to do—to see that the laws of the country were obeyed. It was gratifying to all members of the force that the authorities had recognised the fine work done in this instance, r or it helped every man in his duty when good service was appreciated. Good Conduct Medals Inspector Holt presented a long service and good conduct medal to Coi’Tstables H. A. Sayer, A. Stapleton. L. Nesbit, and C. W. S. Holmes. This medal was granted for 14 years’ service. provided a man’s conduct had been good, said Inspector Holt.