New Year Honors 2021: Best Canterbury Policeman Recognized After ‘Crowd’ Of Disasters, Deaths And Drama On The Continent

Canterbury’s top cop has been awarded a new year’s honor after a decade in which he and his colleagues grappled with “a multitude of challenging police problems.”

Superintendent John Price today became an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).

He joins 21 other Cantabrians on the New Year’s honor roll, including the Southern Communications Center inspector, Inspector Kieren Kortegast, who becomes a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Price, who has overseen the major Christchurch earthquakes and the 2019 terrorist attack during his tenure, said the ONZM was not just an honor for him, but “a recognition for the team as a whole.”

“And I am just one part of that extraordinary team,” he said.

“It is for all the Canterbury police officers who have been working with real purpose and commitment for the past 10 years to do our best for our people and the community we serve every day.

“Being part of a police team that has helped bring peace, security, inclusion and unity to our community has been the greatest reward of all.

“As a police officer, we have worked together to ensure a safe and inclusive New Zealand.”

Price said his focus had always been “on people.”

“And put our community first and at the center of our service,” he said.

“It is the people, the police and the associations that make the difference,” he said.

“Anything that has an impact on the public impacts us all.

“The larger team in Canterbury includes all of our partner agencies that we have supported in solidarity as a cohesive capacity when we face challenges from natural disasters and emergencies to human-centered terror.

“These momentous challenges have ensured a greater strength of a common goal where the police demonstrated courage, compassion and confidence.”

Born and raised in Canterbury, Price trained and worked as a teacher before joining the police force in October 1987.

He graduated from Police College in March 1988 and initially worked in front-line investigation, prevention and response functions in the Wellington district.

In 2004, he was part of the Operation Austin team in Rotorua, investigating serious historical sex crimes committed by fellow officers against Louise Nicholas, including gang rape and corruption.

In 2005, Price was dispatched to Operation Phuket as an Anti Mortem commander as part of the international disaster victim identification team following the devastating Boxing Day tsunami.

When he returned to Christchurch he was promoted to the rank of Inspector and in 2010 and 2011 he assumed the lead role as Operation Commander in response to the September and then February earthquakes.

Throughout 2011 he led the role as Acting District Commander during the many subsequent earthquakes.

Price then did a stint in Wellington as the Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander and in 2012, promoted to Superintendent, he assumed the role of national training and development manager at the Police College.

“College was an extremely rewarding time as it is here during recruiting, senior and advanced courses that police culture and professionalism is developed, learned and improved,” he said.

It was in 2015 that he took over the lead position in Canterbury, based in Christchurch.

Since then, he has led responses to the North Canterbury earthquakes of 2016, the Port Hill fires of 2017 and was the forward commander during and after the mosque shootings.

“It is important that we remember that while one person tried to generate hatred, the community responded with unity,” he said of the unprecedented crime.

“That day has been referred to as the darkest day in New Zealand, but I consider it the best day for the police, as we do not allow evil to conquer good.

“The pride shown by all of our people since that day along with the goodness of humanity just fills my heart and soul.”

It’s been a busy and tragic decade for Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area, but Price said he wanted his patch to be known for more than death and disaster.

“Canterbury has responded to a multitude of challenging police and community issues over the past 10 years, but I want us to be known as more than just a crisis police district,” he said.

“I am extremely proud of the way the Canterbury police team has responded to the extraordinary variety of emergencies we have faced, but the vigilance goes deeper than the response.

“The Canterbury team adds tremendous value to its people by providing innovative prevention and safety in our homes, on our roads and in our community.”

Price is also on the University of Canterbury Board of Criminal Justice Studies and was on the Board of Studies of the Australian Institute of Police Management, roles that also contribute to police decisions in Canterbury and allow for greater partnership towards a more community. safe.

“I am grateful for the opportunities and challenges that have been presented to me, and especially for the tireless support of my family, partner agencies and colleagues who in turn have given me the ability to serve and mentor the people of Canterbury in the best possible way. way possible way I can, “he said.

Kortegast has served nearly 48 years in the police force, joining as a cadet in January 1972.

Most of his career since graduating in August 1973 has been spent in Christchurch, working on the front lines and in the Criminal Investigation Branch.

In 1996, a one-year position emerged at the communications center, and Kortegast has remained there ever since, working as the center’s director for the past 17 years.

“I love the job,” he said.

“It is exciting, it is challenging and the technology continues to advance.

“I have the privilege of leading a great group of people in a very busy environment.”

Kortegast said her honor was shared with her family, colleagues and others she has worked with over the years.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities that I have had and the support of so many people,” he said.

Police said Kortegast’s award mention reflected “the exemplary leadership shown during the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, the relocation of the communications center to the new Justice and Emergency Service Precinct in 2018, and other crises, including shootings. in the mosque. “

“The caliber of the staff working in the emergency call centers is exceptional and they go out of their way to handle multiple calls from people in crisis,” he said.

“At the same time, our dispatchers are leveraging this information, assigning response units and acting as liaison with personnel on the ground.

“The volume of 111 calls and radio communications is high, and it is a tribute to the staff who handle the demands so well.”

His experience and extensive knowledge have led him to represent law enforcement on the National Emergency Communications Task Force – Australia and New Zealand for over 14 years, and until recently was a board member.

Outside of the police, Inspector Kortegast spent nearly a decade raising money for the Life Education Trust as part of his participation in the Round Table Service Club, winning the organization’s annual award in 1990 for his service to the community.

Commissioner Andrew Coster said the honors for the Cantabrians are well deserved and “reflect the deep commitment that officers have to do the best they can for communities in times of crisis and in proactive preventive work.”

Investiture ceremonies for Royal Honors winners are organized by the Governor General and will take place on dates to be confirmed in 2021.