Editorial: Police making positive impact

In what could easily have ended in tragedy instead became a great tale of a hero cop. The police are never far from the news.

Usually they're dealing with violent criminals, taping off a house where a major crime has occurred, or picking up the pieces at a road smash.

And by the very nature of their job they're often involved in controversy.

It can't be easy trying to enforce the law and provide a public service.

Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes officers do the wrong thing and find themselves in trouble. Sometimes, the police are in the spotlight just for doing their job to the best of their ability.

And when they are in the wrong, it is only right they are held to account.

So it's nice to be able to praise our men and women in blue and recognise the work they do in holding the thin blue line.

We've had two great examples already this week.

In yesterday's edition, we carried the front-page story of how Constable Kane Hunia stripped down to his underwear to rescue a teenager stranded on a sandbank in the middle of the estuary by Welcome Bay.

What could have ended in tragedy instead became a great tale of a hero cop.

I'm sure Mr Hunia is feeling pleased and so he should be. I'm sure people join our police force to make a difference and this man has done exactly this. His bosses and family should be proud.

In today's edition, we report that Western Bay of Plenty police have recorded an overall reported crime drop of 8.8 per cent and drops in most crime categories in the last financial year.

The latest crime statistics for 2010-2011, detailed on page 2, show huge inroads in offending in the Bay.

There is a jump in sexual offending but police say this is because police and CYF are working together in a better way.

Police by their very nature are modest - but if you know of a good story about a local officer let us know. In the meantime, Bay police can reflect knowing they are doing a great job.

Thinking of Jonah

Jonah Lomu's health problems are such a shame.

Jonah has done so much for sport and New Zealand over the years and it was great to see him at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.

But news that he may lose his donated kidney is terrible. Doctors have told him there is a slim chance his kidney, donated by radio personality Grant Kereama, will survive.

Good luck, Jonah. We wish you all the best.