Kurow sorry to be losing policeman
ONE Otago district’s loss is another’s gain as sole charge officer Senior Constable Craig Bennett swaps Kurow for Lawrence this week.
For eight and ahalf years, Snr Const Bennett has been making poachers’ lives difficult, cleaning up after car crashes, and teaching children how to stay safe in the Waitaki Valley town of Kurow, and says he will miss it.
At a community farewell on Sunday local leaders said they would miss him, and spoke of his commitment to the town.
Kurow Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer John Sturgeon called Snr Const Bennett, ‘‘an absolute joy to work with’’ and recalled his penchant for runins with local animal life.
The officer had several times had issues with ‘‘barriers’’ on the road, he told those gathered.
In one incident, the officers had nearly written off a police car while negotiating a large number of deer on the road.
‘‘I don’t think his colleagues in the police force believe him.’’
Kurow Museum and Information Centre coordinator Carron Cossens said Snr Const Bennett worked for the community and from the start made sure everybody knew who he was.
Snr Const Bennett said he was torn by his decision, but the Lawrence position was a chance to get more experience a bit closer to Dunedin.
The highlight of his Kurow tenure had been the people, and the close relationships he had had with the community.
‘‘I think it’s very important for the community to know their police officer . . . especially in rural New Zealand and more so in the mainland in the South Island. They want to stop in and see you. ’’
The worst part of the job was telling people about a loved one’s death.
‘‘Unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it a lot in this wee community.’’
His advice for the next Kurow officer was to enjoy the community.
‘‘They’ll do anything to help them.’’
Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board chairman Garry McCorkindale said it was great that the Lawrence community would have a permanent police officer once again.
A police spokeswoman said a replacement officer for Kurow was yet to be secured.