Update: 3:02PM NZPF: TWO Police officers with extensive investigation or prevention and community policing expertise are recipients of Royal Honours in the New Year list announced today.
Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald, former Canterbury District Investigations Manager and now New Zealand Police Liaison Officer in Canberra, becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to New Zealand Police and the community.
Senior Constable Russ Smith, the Prevention, Youth and Community officer in Blenheim, Tasman District, becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to Police and to youth.
“This is fantastic news and reflects their dedicated work and the high regard in which they’re held,” Commissioner Mike Bush said in a statement released today.
“Tom is one of our most experienced and respected investigators, having led numerous serious crime and high profile homicide teams in Canterbury and Southern Districts. He is renowned for his focused, high performing approach combined with a desire to do what is right for victims.”
Commissioner Bush said for Senior Constable Smith, his forte wqas prevention, seeking out opportunities to develop and implement initiatives and programs that benefitted young people and others in the Marlborough area.
“It’s great to see two officers who really understand policing being recognised with these honours. We’re proud of them both,” the Commissioner said.
Detective Inspector Fitzgerald joined Police in 1991 and has been an investigator since 1994.
His citation acknowledges his excellence in serious crime investigations and his work overseeing the Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River Coal Mine explosion and fatalities.
He was also instrumental in developing and implementing the national Confidential Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) management model.
Under Detective Inspector Fitzgerald’s leadership, a multi-level training program was introduced, including the first level four CHIS management course in New Zealand, the highest accreditation that can be attained internationally.
He has also written and delivered CHIS management training courses internationally.
Senior Constable Smith has been working in community and prevention roles in Blenheim since 1996, apart from a six-month deployment to Timor Leste in 2010.
Detective Inspector Fitzgerald said it was “incredibly humbling” that peers had taken the time to nominate him.
“I take a lot of pride as an investigator, leading and mentoring high performing teams. It’s an honour to lead investigations, and an honour to work for victims in the most tragic of circumstances.”
For Senior Constable Smith, prevention is the heartbeat of policing and says he is “thrilled to bits” with the community focus of his award.
“Working together with youth and community groups instead of in silos is really rewarding. Programs such as CACTUS and the mini-PCT challenges we run in colleges with Blue Light are opportunities for young people to see Police in a positive light.”
He has been involved with the Marlborough Youth Trust for more than 10 years, working with young people at all levels across the community, including those at risk.
“Taking the time to listen to ideas from young people, working out together what is feasible and what’s not, being open and flexible to change is what drives community spirit.”
Recipients of New Year Honours will be invested with their awards by the Governor General in ceremonies at a date to be announced.
