Service awards for Clutha officers

Inspector Dave Campbell (centre) congratulates two long-serving South Otago police officers, Senior Constable Robert Wallace, of Lawrence, (left) and Senior Sergeant Richard Whitmore, of Balclutha. Photo by Glenn Conway
Inspector Dave Campbell (centre) congratulates two long-serving South Otago police officers, Senior Constable Robert Wallace, of Lawrence, (left) and Senior Sergeant Richard Whitmore, of Balclutha. Photo by Glenn Conway
Two South Otago police officers were yesterday recognised for their contribution to the job after having amassed more than four decades of service between them.

Clutha sub-area police controller Senior Sergeant Richard Whitmore, of Balclutha, and Senior Constable Robert Wallace, of Lawrence, received their 21-year long service awards from Dunedin area controller Inspector Dave Campbell at a presentation at the Balclutha Police Station.

Insp Campbell said both men had made a positive and valuable contribution to the New Zealand Police and the communities they had served during their 21 years each on the job.

‘‘Your loyalty and dedication to the job is something you should both be very proud of,'' he said.
Snr Const Wallace graduated from the New Zealand Police College in 1986 and was first posted to Wellington before eventually transferring to his hometown area of Oamaru.

In 2000, he arrived in South Otago after being was appointed the sole officer in charge of Clinton and spent seven years there before being offered a similar role in Lawrence in 2007.

Last year was an eventful one for him as he not only took up the Lawrence posting but spent six months working in the Solomon Islands.

Snr Sgt Whitmore, who had emigrated from the United Kingdom, also graduated in 1986 and spent the first few years working in Wellington.

He then transferred to the criminal investigation branch, in Gore, in 1998, where he rose to the rank of detective.

The following year, he was posted to Clutha as detective in charge of the combined investigation unit.

Last year, he was appointed as officer in charge of the Balclutha station and promoted to the rank of senior sergeant.

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