Newest boy in blue only 4

Criminals beware: there is a new cop on the block, and his name is Liam Parsons.

The 4-year-old from Tuatapere, Southland, was flown to Wellington on Friday so his dream of becoming a policeman could be brought to life.

He spent the day donning past and present police uniforms, racing around the skid track in a police car and testing the obedience of the police dogs.

Liam, an acute asthma sufferer, is the face of this year’s Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, which raises money for muchneeded medical equipment in 11 children’s wards across the country.

His dad, Graham Parsons, a senior constable in Tuatapere, said it was great to see his son live out a dream.

‘‘It is really special to come out and experience something like this, it is all about him. He is one of four kids, and is the youngest so he doesn’t always get the extras.’’

How long he will live with the asthma condition was unclear, but his parents were hopeful he would grow out of it.

Countdown Wellington group manager Cameron Black said giving Liam the chance to be a cop was a privilege.

The appeal, which kicked off yesterday, was in its tenth year. In that time, more than $9.3 million has been raised for children’s wards.