Police officer recognised for role in Carterton hot air ballooning disaster

Constable Nathan Dickey, who has been in the force for nine and a half years, received a district commander's certificate of appreciation. Photo / File

A police officer who played a key part in the gruesome victim recovery following the Carterton hot air ballooning disaster has been recognised for his role.

Eleven people died during the tragedy on January 7, 2012.

Constable Nathan Dickey, who has been in the force for nine and a half years, received a district commander's certificate of appreciation during a Kapiti Mana police pay parade in Paraparaumu.

"I'm really pleased to receive the award," said Mr Dickey, who is part of the police specialist search squad.

"It [body recovery] was a hard task to complete.

"I was part of the disaster victim identification team.

"We recovered all of the bodies from the crash scene which took about seven days."

Another to receive a district commander's certificate of appreciation was Senior Constable Lee Greedus, who along with other officers, safely arrested an armed offender in Paekakariki Hill Road, north of Wellington, on April 24, 2009.

The male offender pointed what appeared to be a concealed firearm [later identified as an imitation gun covered with a tea towel] several times at armed officers.

Mr Greedus drew the attention of the offender to allow a police dog handler to approach the offender from behind.

Sergeant Hemi Tito and Detective Peter Reeves, who received the same award too, saw a police dog had been deployed so held fire, and assisted restraining the offender, while Mr Greedus provided armed protection.

"Not a great situation but a good outcome," Mr Greedus said.

"I guess it was a suicide-by-cop scenario.

"I think his intention was to be shot by police."

Both Mr Dickey and Mr Greedus are based at the Kapiti police station in Paraparaumu.

Twenty-five awards were presented at the pay parade.

-NZH