Officers recognised for quake duties

South Otago police officers (from left)  Senior Constable Graeme Ferguson,  Senior Constable Jane...
South Otago police officers (from left) Senior Constable Graeme Ferguson, Senior Constable Jane Whitmore, Constable Brian McKinney, Senior Constable Murray Hewitson and Constable Logan Dickie were presented with Canterbury earthquake citations by Clutha-Taieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie at the Balclutha police station on Friday. Constable Rochelle Gordon was absent. Photo by Helena de Reus.
Six South Otago police officers have received a special citation for their work in Christchurch following the 2011 Canterbury earthquake.

Senior Constables Graeme Ferguson, Jane Whitmore, and Murray Hewitson, and Constables Brian McKinney and Logan Dickie were each presented with the 2011 Canterbury Earthquake Citation by Clutha-Taieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie in Balclutha on Friday.

Constable Rochelle Gordon was also due to receive a citation but is on maternity leave.

Snr Sgt Dickie said although the earthquake was three years ago, the officers' service still needed to be recognised.

Police responded from throughout the country and overseas, showing the strong bonds that held them throughout the world, he said.

''When the heat's really on, we come together well.''

Snr Sgt Dickie took a contingent of 60 Southern police staff to Canterbury in the wake of the February 2011 quake.

The magnitude-6.3 earthquake at 12.51pm on February 22 and its immediate aftershocks killed 185 people, injured hundreds, destroyed more than 800 buildings, and left 15,000 homes and businesses devastated.

Throughout the country, 3600 police officers and civilians under direct police command have received a Canterbury earthquake citation.

The citation is a medal in Canterbury colours, with four red stripes on a black background.

-helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

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