Award acknowledges top cop's legacy of progress

Howard Broad. Photo / Janna Dixon

Former Police Commissioner Howard Broad's citation says he helped to provide a platform for the New Zealand police to become a "more modern, professional" force.

It also said he demonstrated a commitment to community policing and worked closely with public service chief executives to ensure the police played an integral part in multi-agency work serving communities.

Mr Broad is today made a CNZM for his work as commissioner.

He is holidaying in Europe and could not be reached for comment, but last year he told the Herald the role had put a lot of pressure on him, his family and his health.

Resigning after five years as top cop, he said then that carrying a cellphone every hour of every day was a "unique experience".

"Whether you are in the country or out of it, that goes at very regular intervals with every piece of disaster, tragedy, every police officer who gets into trouble, every major inquiry that's made of the police, and you are expected to be right across that and be able to converse and interact on that at any time."

In 2007, police made their so-called "anti-terror raids" in Ruatoki in the eastern Bay of Plenty, after which groups including the Maori Party and Ruatoki residents called for Mr Broad's resignation. He said he understood the hurt people were feeling.

Under his leadership, the police did trials of Tasers before he authorised their general use in 2008.

Mr Broad joined the police force as a cadet in 1975. He took over as commissioner in 2006.