Officer earns top award for bravery

Being calm and professional in the face of extreme danger has earned a Western Bay of Plenty police dog handler one of New Zealand's highest bravery honours.
Constable James Muir (Zinny) was today rewarded for his actions when faced with an armed teenager in June 2007. Mr Muir, who has previously been awarded the Charles Upham Award for Bravery and the Police Commissioner's Gold Merit Award for Bravery in relation to the same incident, has now been awarded The New Zealand Bravery Decoration.
In the early hours of June 23, 2007, a stolen vehicle was seen by police entering Mount Maunganui. Inside were two 14-year-old boys who had stolen firearms and ammunition during burglaries, after escaping from a Child, Youth and Family programme.
During a pursuit, the youths fired at Mr Muir's vehicle. At the end of the pursuit, Mr Muir and his Police dog, Neo, came to the aid of another officer who was being threatened with a rifle. Mr Muir was also threatened with the rifle, which failed to fire.
He then released Neo, enabling the officers to capture the youths.
The award citation described Mr Muir's actions as "calm and professional in the face of a dangerous and rapidly changing situation, over which he had no control and in which he had no alternative but to render assistance to his colleague.
"Throughout the incident there was a risk of being shot by an offender who showed that he was prepared to use a firearm to effect his escape."
Adamant he was simply doing his job, the humble officer was honoured by the award.
"Obviously this incident was a unique situation, and one that I am grateful not to find myself in every day or even year.
"Having said that, at the end of the day, I stand by my belief that I was simply doing my job and I feel confident that many of my colleagues would have done the same thing in a similar situation."
Mr Muir said he had reacted on gut instinct and could not recall the thought process that accompanied his actions that night.
"There were people in harm's way and as a dog handler, I was in a position to be able to do something about it.
I'm incredibly relieved that no one was hurt."
Western Bay Area Commander, Inspector Mike Clement, said the latest bravery honour further reinforced the extent of Mr Muir's actions.
"It goes without saying that we are incredibly proud of Zinny's achievements, and we are also delighted for him that he has been recognised in this way, with one of New Zealand's highest bravery awards."