The 34 New Zealand police officers killed in the line of duty were honoured today by police officers, staff and whanau for Police Remembrance Day.
Forces in New Zealand, Australia and about the wider Pacific honoured fallen officers and staff, with about 300 people gathering at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Wellington to hear the names of the roll of honour and pay their respects.
The 34 names from the college's memorial wall were read, as well as others who had died as a result of their duties over the force's history and more recent deaths in Australia and the Pacific this year.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Police recruits performed a powerful haka following a wreath laying ceremony at the foot of the memorial wall.
The emotion of the day was front and centre as the officers in training paid vocal respect to those who had lost their lives.
The day also marked the inclusion of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming into the roll of honour - as the 34th New Zealand police officer to die in the line of duty.
Fleming was killed in the early hours of New Year's Day after being struck by a vehicle in central Nelson.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Members of Fleming's extended family - as well as the mother and sister of Constable Matthew Hunt who was killed in 2020 - were among whanau attending the ceremony.
A statement from Fleming's son - Aren Olsen - underlined the sacrifice officer's loved ones undertook to support their commitment to serve.
"In her life she gave her everything to everyone that needed it. Her energy, her love, her patience, in calm or in crises she'd be there. That's just how it was. Birds fly, fish swim and Mum's off being a hero," Olsen wrote.
Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers said the day was an opportunity to look back into the 159 years since the formation of the country's police force.
"By looking back we can consider how we've changed and learnt from the most trying and tragic of times. How our work is difficult. The weight of responsibility is huge and the physical and mental toll can be overwhelming and how our work can be very, very dangerous," Rogers said.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello drew on her time with police to speak of the effect incidents involving her fellow officers had on staff as they went about their duties.
"Beyond that initial loss there was the reality of having to continue working. To investigate, to cover, to carry on. Waiting to hear of any news about those we have lost and praying for those that are injured to recover," Costello said.
Assistant commissioner of deployment Tusha Penny closed the ceremony with an impassioned commitment to officers and their families.
"We don't forget and we won't forget. There are too many plaques on our memorial wall.
"And to our front-line - I assure you that senior leadership don't step back from facing those challenges and making sure that we do everything in our power to ensure safety across this country every moment and every hour," Penny said.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
In Nelson, a memorial to Fleming was unveiled outside her home station as a part of a service attended by members of her family, colleagues from police and other emergency services as well as Minister of Police Mark Mitchell and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.
Chambers said receiving news such as that concerning Fleming was "the thing that frightens me the most".
He said he had worked closely with Fleming during his time as district commander in Tasman.
"I loved working with her because she was so good at what she did. The support that she gave to young police officers starting out in their careers. She was a woman who cared so much about her colleagues," Chambers said.
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