Two current police officers and a former officer have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours.
Detective Inspector David de Lange Photo:
Inspector Dean Murray Clifford and Detective Inspector David de Lange of the Eastern police district, and former Inspector Siaosi Fa'alogo of the Wellington police district were recognised as Members of The New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for services to the New Zealand Police and the community.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the breadth and depth of the work the three men had done was valuable.
"Our people join Police to make a difference and I'm constantly humbled that so many generously give their time and skills to support their communities and people in need.
"Service is at the heart of policing and these people have left a legacy of strengthening their communities and helping to build communities that are safer and more inclusive for all."
Wellington sport and harm reduction leader
Fa'alogo worked in policing for 35 years, from 1984 to 2019, including as; a youth and community coordinator in Porirua; a prevention manager in the Hutt Valley; manager of the Violence Reduction Unit that works on family violence, child protection, sexual assault, alcohol harm, and online exploitation; and on deployment in Solomon Islands for two years helping with a crime prevention strategy. He was awarded the police Gold Merit Bravery Award in 1998.
Former Inspector Siaosi (George) Fa'alogo Photo: Supplied/ Police
He represented Samoa and the police in international rugby league, and coached, managed and organised tournaments in rugby, netball and waka ama for 15 years. With his wife, he coached the first Solomon Islands outrigger canoe team to appear at the South Pacific Games in 2019.
He was on governance teams at Papakōwhai School and Saint Patrick's College, Silverstream, and set up Polynesian clubs and Pacific parents groups.
Fa'alogo thanked God for being able to live a "real" life, and said many other people were also doing the same work.
"When I reflect on the hardships and discrimination my parents had to overcome as Pasifika migrants in the 1950s and 60s; and the time I have had away from my wife Mandy and our two boys Ezra and Isaac - over the years - this award is for them.
Eastern District champion for community partnerships
Clifford had been in policing for 34 years, including roles worked: at the Flaxmere Community Policing Centre; as Hastings area commander; as the Eastern district prevention manager; as the director in charge of the Police College, and deployed to Timor Leste to help establish community policing.
Inspector Dean Murray Clifford Photo: Supplied/ Police
He fostered partnerships with community groups working in youth, family harm and mental health, set up neighbourhood policing teams and new models for dealing with family harm, and began provision of mental health and addiction services for those in custody in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti.
The recognition was special, Clifford said.
"I am thrilled that what is being recognised is the combination of work within police and the community. I am lucky to work with so many great people and am thankful for their support and commitment to our community."
Eastern District crime buster
De Lange has policed in the Eastern district for 35 years, including: 25 years in criminal investigation; as overseer of the Hawke's Bay Crime Squad; as leader of the Child Protection Team; and as leader of the Organised Crime Team.
Detective Inspector David (Dave) de Lange Photo:
He also spent 22 years on governance boards for Mayfair School and Karamu High School in Hastings, including as chairman of the board for each school.
Being recognised was humbling, de Lange said.
"I have been privileged to work with so many good people who make it easy for me to do what I do and enjoy doing what I do. They all have the same goal of making our community and the people in it better now and in the future.
"My family have been very important in my journey and it's a reflection of the support they have given me over the years, especially my wife Ali, that I have been able to commit to the roles I have."