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Injured policeman Sean Hurley has taken a swipe at senior police management, saying they "routinely choose to disregard the safety of staff" working alone in smaller towns.
He said it was common practice for officers in Wanaka and other small Central Otago stations to patrol night-shift beats by themselves - a situation that invited risk.
"I've been in dangerous situations before, but this is the first time I have genuinely feared for and thought my life was endangered," said the father of three daughters, who has served in the police for 25 years.
Senior Constable Hurley was at home yesterday with his wife, Cindy, and daughter Erin by his side.
He said he was still in a lot of pain and was on "enough painkillers to keep a horse with a broken leg quiet".
Mrs Hurley said she did not know of her husband's predicament until he arrived home "a bit noisier than usual", on crutches about 6am.
While she didn't usually worry about her husband working shifts by himself, - "he's a warhorse and knows how to look after himself" - there were always factors outside one's control that posed dangers to police.
Mr Hurley said he was due to go on leave from today. Because of his injuries, the family had been forced to cancel a cycling holiday.
He said he was going to re-evaluate his position while he recuperated.
Otago rural sub-district area controller Inspector Phil Jones said he was hoping to get more police officers in Wanaka next year. In an incident like Saturday night's, it did not matter how many police were there.
He said he felt sorry for Mr Hurley but hoped more staff would bring an end to solo shifts.
Mr Jones said he understood the Saturday night shift was supposed to be covered by two officers, but the other officer had to go on duty on Friday night after a fatal glider crash in the Wilkin Valley.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
