THEY'RE few and far between but Masterton police sergeant Glenn Taplin was yesterday presented with a much-coveted police award for his commitment to the prevention of family violence.
The bronze merit award is an honour that police commissioner Howard Broad, who presented the award to Mr Taplin, said is reserved for
outstanding commitment to the police force.
Mr Broad said presenting this decoration not only enabled him to acknowledge Mr Taplin's work, but also to honour the extensive work undertaken by people in the region as a whole in preventing family violence.
"This is not just an individual achievement for Glenn but also on behalf of his colleagues.
"I want to acknowledge that, for the people of Wairarapa, there were some rough roads to get to this point. But the situation is now vastly different as a result of the people in this particular place."
Mr Broad said addressing family violence is a vastly different journey for each region in New Zealand.
He said Wairarapa's work in this area is something he wants to "pick up and try to work through the rest of the country".
Also attending the ceremony was Masterton Mayor Bob Francis, who said he admired Mr Taplin for his unwavering commitment to zero tolerance of family violence in the region, praising him for the relationships he built up to achieve this.
"We are certainly in a far stronger position now than when we launched the (Rise Above It) campaign four years ago.
"I think this award is fair and due recognition of (Mr Taplin's) work."
As for Mr Taplin himself, receiving the award was an experience he was "not altogether comfortable with" but still thrilled at the same time.
"Of course it's a real privilege but I believe I have done no more than I think my colleagues should be doing."
