Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne. Photo/File
Nine Rotorua police officers have been diagnosed with cancer in the past five years.
Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne said the insidious disease had taken its toll on the Rotorua police staff in the past few years and news of Detective Steve Allpress' terminal diagnosis had sent shock
waves through the tight-knit team.
Despite the aggressive nature of Mr Allpress' cancer, he said he was impressed with his determination.
"You have two choices really. Either give up or you fight. I guess part of him is drawing strength from his colleagues who have been though it and have come out the other side. And him and I have spoken about that.
"Every person in the station who has battled it, the positives they take from that when things happen to other people like Steve is they can look them in the eye and say with integrity 'I know'."
