"New Year’s Royal Honours for two police officers"
Two police officers with extensive investigation or prevention and community policing expertise are recipients of Royal
Honours in the New Year list announced today.
Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald, former Canterbury District Investigations Manager and now New Zealand Police Liaison
Officer in Canberra, becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to New Zealand Police and
the community.
Senior Constable Russ Smith, the Prevention, Youth and Community officer in Blenheim, Tasman District, becomes a Member
of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to Police and to youth.
“This is fantastic news and reflects their dedicated work and the high regard in which they’re held,” Commissioner Mike
Bush said.
“Tom is one of our most experienced and respected investigators, having led numerous serious crime and high profile
homicide teams in Canterbury and Southern Districts.
He is renowned for his focused, high performing approach combined with a desire to do what is right for victims."
“Russ’s forte is prevention, seeking out opportunities to develop and implement initiatives and programmes that benefit
young people and others in the Marlborough Area.
“It’s great to see two officers who really understand policing being recognised with these honours.
We’re proud of them both.”
Detective Inspector Fitzgerald joined police in 1991 and has been an investigator since 1994.
His citation acknowledges his excellence in serious crime investigations and his work overseeing the Commission of
Inquiry into the Pike River Coal Mine explosion and fatalities.
He was also instrumental in developing and implementing the national Confidential Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS)
management model.
Under Detective Inspector Fitzgerald’s leadership a multi-level training programme was introduced including the first
level four CHIS management course in New Zealand, the highest accreditation that can be attained internationally.
He has also written and delivered CHIS management training courses internationally.
Senior Constable Smith has been working in community and prevention roles in Blenheim since 1996, apart from a six month
deployment to Timor Leste in 2010. A champion for youth and community based solutions, the citation makes special
mention of Senior Constable Smith’s role in leading the Marlborough Youth Trust as chairman since 2007, his involvement
with the Safe and Sound at the Top advisory group, his longstanding work with Marlborough Blue Light and the Combined
Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support (CACTUS) programme in schools. Other activities include implementing an
education and pastoral care package for Recognised Seasonal Employees in Marlborough and a project working with
communities to physically clean up streets and properties, fostering pride within neighbourhoods.
The police recipients are surprised and delighted by news of their awards.
Detective Inspector Fitzgerald says it’s “incredibly humbling” that peers have taken the time to nominate him.
“I take a lot of pride as an investigator, leading and mentoring high performing teams.
It’s an honour to lead investigations, and an honour to work for victims in the most tragic of circumstances.”
He’s especially proud of what is being achieved through CHIS and the interview management model.
“It’s world leading and I’m lucky to have had executive support which values the role of CHIS and its importance to
policing.”
Prevention is the heartbeat of policing, says Senior Constable Smith who is “thrilled to bits” with the community focus
of his award.
“Working together with youth and community groups instead of in silos is really rewarding.
Programmes such as CACTUS and the mini PCT challenges we run in colleges with Blue Light are opportunities for young
people to see police in a positive light.”
He has been involved with the Marlborough Youth Trust for more than 10 years, working with young people at all levels
across the community, including those at risk.
“Taking the time to listen to ideas from young people, working out together what is feasible and what’s not, being open
and flexible to change is what drives community spirit.”
Recipients of New Year Honours will be invested with their awards by the Governor General in ceremonies at a date to be
announced.