Police salute trio for cool bravery at crime scenes

William Purcell (left), Juliet Newson and Robert Baker with their awards. Photo / Dean Purcell

William Purcell is considering joining the police after being awarded a civilian honour yesterday for tackling a pharmacy robber.

He was one of three Aucklanders awarded the District Commander's Certificate of Appreciation at a ceremony yesterday attended by the Minister of Police, Judith Collins, Acting Police Commissioner Rob Pope, the Auckland City police chief, Superintendent George Fraser, and Auckland City Mayor John Banks.

The 41-year-old was at the St Lukes accident and emergency centre on November 5 when someone told him a robber armed with a knife was threatening a female worker.

Mr Purcell and a friend followed the robber as he left the adjoining store. However, when it became clear the man was heading towards a car, Mr Purcell tackled him.

"He had a hoodie on pulled quite tightly, so I knew he couldn't see me. It was just a matter of putting in a big hit.

"He was of pretty average build so I thought I had a chance to surprise him."

Mr Purcell restrained the man until the police arrived, and now the hospitality worker is seriously considering a career change.

"To be honest, I'd love to be in a place where I could help people."

Auckland University geothermal academic Juliet Newson took on a man who had assaulted a woman with him in a car in Symonds St, central Auckland, on February 6.

As she approached, he left the car and entered a building. Ms Newson, a 52-year-old mother of three, went to check on the woman and saw two children sitting in the back. The victim had called the police but Ms Newson waited with her.

Within a few minutes, the assailant returned and began to intimidate and physically abuse Ms Newson.

"I thought there was a 70 per cent chance he wasn't going to do anything but at the same time I'm thinking there's a 29.5 per cent chance I could end up with a black eye or broken nose." Ms Newson told the woman to drive up the road to wait at her workplace.

Yesterday, she said: "I tell my children - never let a bully get away with anything."

Robert Baker, who shared a cab with a man after an AC/DC concert at Western Springs last year, was also honoured.

His co-passenger was drunk and began abusing the taxi driver with racist language soon after hopping into the car.

At his destination, a dispute broke out over the fare and he pulled a Stanley knife on the driver. "I was just so angry about it all. It wasn't right," Mr Baker said. "We struggled and he fell out of the car."

The drunk was arrested not far from the scene.

Mr Pope said it was important to recognise the Aucklanders' selflessness in aiding the community in emergencies.

"These people here today don't carry our badge, our powers, some of our confidence we take in to the streets with us everyday," the acting commissioner said.

"What shines through quite apart from very courageous actions is they were thinking coolly and calmly ...

"That's really pleasing because while it's great to acknowledge acts of bravery of the public, you don't want them injured or killed themselves.

"That rational thinking that came through with all of them is very important."