Prestigious medal for Bay police

Two Bay of Plenty Police officers have been honoured - receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional service, commitment and achievement to Police and communities throughout New Zealand.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Brown and recently retired Sergeant Paul Selby were joined by Alan Richards at a ceremony at Police National Headquarters in Wellington this afternoon where Police Commissioner Mike Bush presented the medals.


Retired Sergeant Paul Selby, pictured here with Turk, is one of two Bay of Plenty Police officers to be given a Meritorious Service Medal. Photo: Tracy Hardy.


Police Commissioner Mike Bush, retired Sergeant Paul Selby,Detective Sergeant Trevor Brown and Alan Richards after today's ceremony at Police National Headquarters. Photo: Constable Suzy McNab.

A fourth police staff member, Detective Sergeant Mike Beal, was presented with a MSM at a ceremony in Auckland last month.

The MSM holds special value in New Zealand Police, and is the highest award that can be made by the Commissioner.

The medals were promulgated by Royal Warrant in October 2013 and the first six medals were awarded in March last year.

Commissioner Mike Bush is delighted to award the MSMs to the latest four people who have made an exceptional contribution to New Zealand Police.

'They've consistently performed at a top level in their diverse fields – from managing complex national and international drug investigations, through to training and mentoring recruits, newly graduated constables, investigators and dog sections or ensuring we're polished and performing with pride on ceremonial occasions.”

Detective Sergeant Trevor Brown

For outstanding service and commitment to the investigation and resolution of serious crime.

DS Brown has worked on many high profile and serious crimes, and is respected for his professionalism, interviewing skills and work with victims.

He's initiated mentoring programmes for staff and updated training material for CIB staff, including secondments to the Royal New Zealand Police College and to a training course for police investigators in Vietnam.

Off duty DS Brown is a trained lifeguard and retains a community focus – providing a helping practical hand for those who need it and volunteering many hours as coaching junior lifesavers and marshalling at events.

Sergeant Paul Selby – retired 2014

For outstanding service and commitment to the New Zealand Police Dog Section.

Sergeant Selby was a dedicated and influential member of the NZ Police Dog Section from 1975 until his retirement in July last year.

A high performing dog handler and trainer, his expertise was recognised by dog sections in both New Zealand and Australia. He's won several national Police Dog Championship titles with dogs Vance and Saba, including the Australasian championship with Saba in 1990.

Sergeant Selby has worked in Northland, Christchurch and Bay of Plenty. He's built strong relationships with schools and the public and in 1983 developed an initiative to work with Whakatane Intermediate School students which continues to this day. The students determine the best performing police dog team in the district for the year and present the award to the handler – usually at a display attended by schools and the wider community.

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