North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Pair awarded for bravery on the job
Two police officers had to be medically treated after arresting a man who was smashing up a burning suspected meth lab.
Constable Haley Wells and senior constable Gary Morgan were called to the fire in the alleged clandestine lab in Milford, in November. Upon arrival they were confronted by an aggressive and uncooperative man who was allegedly destroying evidence, while the fire continued around him, they said.
‘‘When we arrived, he was inside the garage smashing stuff. He was quite badly burned and was hosing himself down,’’ Wells said.
When called upon to surrender, the man ran from Wells and Morgan carrying what was suspected to be a hazardous and toxic substance.
The pair chased after the man and arrested him. In doing so, they were exposed to toxins and required medical treatment.
Morgan said the the treatment was related to inhaling the toxins, which were irritating to the skin and mouth.
However, on receiving bravery awards, he said the pair were only doing their jobs.
‘‘This is our job and we know the dangers,’’ Morgan said.
‘‘It’s nice to be recognised, of course, but it’s normal duties.’’ Wells agreed.
‘‘It’s just what we signed up for. We signed up to protect people and that’s all we’re doing at the end of the day.’’
At the awards, it was said
‘‘We signed up to protect people and that's all we're doing.’’
Haley Wells
Wells’ and Morgan’s selfless actions had prevented harm to the local community and were in line with the traditions of New Zealand Police.
A man is facing charges in relation to the case, and the matter is before the court.
Wells and Morgan received two of the 11 District Commander Commendations for their actions at an awards ceremony in Henderson on June 23.
The ceremony, for the Waitemata Police District, was preceded by the district’s inaugural pay parade (P17). Led by the Police Pipe Band, more than 150 police officers from Waitakere, Rodney and the North Shore took part in the parade along west Auckland streets.
The pay parade originated in the 1800s when police were inspected at the station before marching to the magistrate’s office to receive their fortnightly pay.