An officer who shot a gunman who had already fired at him and was threatening other Police staff with a loaded rifle was this week presented with the New Zealand Bravery Medal (NZBM).
After receiving the award from Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House, Wellington, Officer S ¨C whose identity is suppressed ¨C says he felt humbled by the honour.
¡°We don¡¯t join or go to work each day expecting to get an award,¡± he says. ¡°We do it because we want to help our communities and keep our communities safe.¡±
Officer S was among the first police officers on the scene after a man fired a rifle in the Upper Hutt McDonald¡¯s restaurant at lunchtime on 8 September 2015.
As he and another officer approached, the gunman fired twice, narrowly missing Officer S. The offender walked toward a busy road and Officer S stepped out from cover and called for him to drop the rifle.
The agitated and aggressive gunman repeatedly challenged Officer S to shoot him but for about 10 minutes Officer S continued talking to him, asking him to surrender.
When the gunman turned and raised the rifle toward two other officers who had arrived with a police dog, Officer S fired. The gunman died at the scene despite first aid efforts.
¡°Being shot at is something no police officer wants to have happen to them but, when I reflect back on it, I had a job to do,¡± he says.
¡°People have asked if I felt scared during the incident. I tell them I can¡¯t really remember and didn¡¯t have time to think of that as I had a job to do. I needed to go forward to ensure I kept members of the public safe, at the same time keeping my team safe.¡±
Officer S says he has had great support from his bosses and colleagues throughout the investigative process arising from the shooting.
¡°The biggest thing for me is that my colleagues trusted my decision-making,¡± he says.
¡°They trusted in my ability to make the correct decision ¨C that the decision would keep them safe and keep others safe.
¡°To have my colleagues who were with me on the day and my family at the investiture was amazing. It was great to have their support. I¡¯ve had their support since the incident, right through.¡±
The presence of Commissioner Mike Bush and other members of the Executive at the investiture was another plus. ¡°Having support from the top ranks, the Commissioner saying I did an amazing job, reinforces for me why I come to work.¡±
His message to other staff is to trust their training. ¡°I did my training and that¡¯s essentially what it came down to,¡± he says.
¡°I was trusting what I¡¯d been taught and following the processes that have been put in place for us.
¡°I said that to the Commissioner, that it¡¯s testament to the training we get that I was able to use my training and resolve the situation without anyone else getting hurt.¡±
A number of other members of Police staff have already received awards for their actions during the incident. The restaurant manager received the New Zealand Bravery Decoration.
During a reception before the investiture, Commissioner Bush acknowledged ¡°the wonderful work¡± of all Police staff who responded to the incident on 8 September.
¡°We as Police put our staff into many situations, some of which are the most complex, difficult and demanding situations that people could imagine,¡± he said.
¡°We expect them to make incredible decisions, sometimes in split seconds. We equip people to do the job to the best of their ability to help keep our communities safe.
¡°Know that we will support you in your decision-making.¡±
He acknowledged that the impact of such events could stay with the people involved forever.
¡°It took real courage and was outstanding work,¡± Commissioner Bush said.