Work in volatile Timor earns police duo awards

Constable Martyn Spear (left) and Detective Nick Poland received high praise from the Police Commissioner for their work in the unpredictable conditions of East Timor. Photo / Richard Robinson

An agitated, drunk Timorese cop was screaming at him in broken English, his hand reaching for his pistol.

A few metres away, another local officer - later revealed to be ex-militia with gang links - was running around the Suai police barracks, unarmed, but just as drunk on local palm wine.

Constable Martyn Spear had been trained to read volatile situations, but it was a whole different story in East Timor in August 2008.

"In the first few minutes he kept grabbing at his gun, gesticulating frequently as if he was going to pull it out of the holster," he said.

Within 10 minutes, both officers were arrested, the situation defused.

Yesterday, Mr Spear, now based at Kumeu police station northwest of Auckland, was one of two officers to receive commendations from Police Commissioner Howard Broad at the Rodney district police awards.

More than a dozen others, sworn officers and civilians, were recognised for long service and good work, after marching along Whangaparaoa Rd in the annual pay parade. Mothers with toddlers joined workers in fluorescent vests and pensioners to watch 50 staff march to the beat of the Auckland Police Pipe Band drums.

Detective Nick Poland also received a commissioner's commendation - for his work on an assassination attempt against East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

The Orewa officer was pleased to tell the Weekend Herald 24 people had been sentenced this month to 16 years in prison for the plot.

"It's a good feeling. We were concerned some wouldn't be held accountable because there are a lot of issues over there," he said.

On February 11, 2008, rebels invaded the homes of Dr Ramos-Horta and Mr Gusmao, leaving the President seriously wounded. A state of emergency was declared.

Mr Poland was on deployment as a member of the United Nations integrated mission, and interviewed hundreds of agitated rebels afterwards, under testing conditions.

"They were pretty hostile and would often point a rifle at me [during the interview] and ask me to leave," he said.

Mr Poland said many were ex-members of the Timorese Army and were loaded up with heavy-duty arms.

"I mean, take [Alfredo] Renaido [the rebel leader shot dead during the assassination bid]. When he went in, he had 14 magazines strapped to his chest, each with 30 rounds. He was definitely prepared to go the distance."

The NZ Police file on the assassination attempt was read by an American FBI special agent and labelled "faultless".

Yesterday Mr Broad also applauded his staff overseas. "The fact that we had NZ detectives working in politically challenged circumstances, that's a big badge of honour."