Senior Sergeant John Edmonds was honoured at the Rotorua Police Station.
Humbled, thrilled and honoured were the emotions experienced by a retired Rotorua Senior Sergeant as he received a prestigious police award.
A Meritorious Service Medal presentation ceremony was held at the Rotorua Police station for John Edmonds today.
Edmonds received the medal for outstanding service, commitment and leadership to New Zealand police, particularly in the area of training and development of police and detector dogs, and the mentoring of newly graduated officers.
Retired Senior Sergeant John Edmonds at the ceremony today. Photo / Ben Fraser
He was a constant and high performing member of New Zealand police for 40 years.
He joined police in 1978, Wing 72, in Trentham as a recruit.
He was posted to Auckland where he spent several years in a variety of roles before joining the Auckland Police Dog Section in May 1985.
This set a course to follow for the bulk of his career, spending about 30 years with the New Zealand Police Dog Section, including in Rotorua.
Bay of Plenty operations support manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said it was a special day for their retired colleague, as well as for family members and friends.
Retired Senior Sergeant John Edmonds (left) is presented his Meritorious Service Medal from Police Commissioner Mike Bush. Photo / Ben Fraser
This was just the sixth ceremony where the medal had been awarded and Edmonds was the 16th person to receive it.
The Meritorious Service Medal bridges the gap between the Commissioners Awards-the Commissioner's Commendations and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Merit Awards - and the external Royal Honours and New Zealand Bravery Awards.
It is not intended to replace those awards, but to enable appropriate recognition for staff whose service and achievements could not be adequately acknowledged in the previous framework.
Edmonds said he was humbled, honoured and thrilled to receive the medal.
"I think, as you go through your career, you don't actually realise the impact you have on people. It's only times like this that it really hits home. You just think this is what I do and who I am.
"It's been a tremendous career this just really caps it off.
"It means a hell of a lot to me."
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said this was a special medal for people who had contributed right across their careers.
"You've raised the profile of the dog section in New Zealand police and internationally... You've done so much for our reputation.
"It's an absolute privilege and honour for me to acknowledge someone like yourself who has done so much with your colleagues along the way."
