Hundreds turn out for Police Remembrance Day

Hundreds of officers and civilian staff, led by a single piper, marched together. Photo / APNZ

Taylor Weenink polished up his grandfather's medals especially for today's Police Remembrance Day celebrations.

And while the 9-year-old couldn't quite remember what the medals were for - one was a New Zealand Order of Merit, his mother quickly explains - he could remember his tall grandfather who told him cool stories.

Taylor was one of hundreds of people who turned out for today's national Police Remembrance Day at the Police College in Porirua to pay tribute to police workers who have died in the past year.

Taylor's grandfather, Colin Walter Wilson, died in October last year aged 70.

Mr Wilson was an assistant commissioner, and retired in 1999 after 40 years in the service.

Up and down the country services were held at 11am today to remember the 29 police officers who have been killed in the line of duty since 1890, as well as the many other current and former police staff who died in the past year.

The last police officer to be killed in the line of duty was Leonard Snee in 2009 who was shot by Jan Molenaar when officers went to his home to carry out a search warrant.

In Christchurch this morning Beverley Lawrie, 71, travelled from her Oamaru home to attend the commemoration to pay tribute to her son, Don Wilkinson.

Mr Wilkinson, 46, died instantly from a single gunshot wound to the chest during a covert drug operation in Mangere, south Auckland on September 11, 2008.

His killer John Ward Skinner is currently serving a 15-year stint behind bars.

"It's days like today you wish you don't have just one child,'' she said.

"It's the first time since Don died that I haven't been in Wellington for the main service.

"September is not a good month - he was murdered in September, and Remembrance Day is a couple of weeks later.''

John and Dave Wootton were both at today's Wellington's service - as they are every year - to remember their brother, Derek.

Derek Wootton was killed in July 2008 when he was hit by a fleeing car while he was deploying road spikes in Titahi Bay.

"I think the police do a wonderful job in commemorating the lives of their slain officers and it's important for us just to be here for Derek and other officers,'' John Wootton said.

Speaking after today's ceremony Deputy Police Commissioner Viv Rickard explained that the service was usually held on September 29, but they were able to get Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae at the service today so held it on October 1 instead.

"It's part of our heritage and culture, we ask police members to do amazing things, to do brave and courageous things and the least we can do, we think, is remember them, so remember those that have past on through sickness or otherwise during the year.

"It's a solemn day but it's also a day to remember and celebrate those lives.''