A young police officer who’s seen as a future leader has been recognised for going above and beyond her normal duties.
Constable Laura Blackburn has been named the Rotary Club of Howick’s Counties Manukau East Police Constable of the Year.
She received the award from the club’s past president Malcolm Pascoe at a recent Rotary Club function.
On hand for the occasion also were Counties Manukau East Police area commander, Inspector Rod Honan and Blackburn’s parents.
Pascoe, who ran the event, provided the Times with an account of the evening.
He says Honan told the attendees a little about his background in the police, including that he began his career in the Counties Manukau district in 1997.
“He spent three years with the drug squad, some time as a detective and later as an inspector for road policing and has for the last 18 months been Area Commander at the Ormiston police station,” Pascoe says.
“Rod also mentioned that in his youth he was a Rotary Exchange Student and went to Australia.”
The award was then presented to Blackburn.
It’s given out each year an officer who has gone over and above their normal duties and is someone the police see as a future leader.
Pascoe says Blackburn attended university and the Royal New Zealand Police College and has been in the police for more than three years.
“Her wish was to be stationed in Counties Manukau East. Laura has been recognised for her great work ethic in her quest to prevent crime and help in the community.
“Her intuition and speedy action saved a lady’s life from a drug overdose.
“Laura is a field training officer looking after the students fresh out of Police College.
“She’s also known for stepping up and is currently an acting sergeant.
“Laura praised the team in Counties Manukau by saying she works with an amazing team.
“The Rotary Trophy, along with a personal gift voucher, was presented to Laura and she responded by thanking the Rotary Club, expressing that she was very proud to be chosen.”
