The Invercargill man was awarded the 2026 Yellow Ribbon Professional Road Safety Hero Award at the Australian College of Road Safety’s ‘‘Road Safety Conversations’’ event in Auckland last week.
Southland road policing manager Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie, who nominated Sgt Sutherland for the award, said the energy he had poured into keeping roads safe had made him a consummate expert.
‘‘Road policing has been his passion and motivation through all his years on the job.
‘‘The way he has dedicated himself and his career to all things road safety, including prevention, education and enforcement, has been extraordinary.’’
Sgt Sutherland said he believed the award was more ‘‘a nod to the team’’ he worked with than anything he had done.
‘‘I was quite speechless — it’s not something I ever expected. I just go to work and enjoy working with a great bunch of people.’’
The death of a friend in a road crash had significantly shaped his career path, Sgt Sutherland said.
‘‘Seeing the impact we can have on people — and the change in them — is what keeps me going.’’
- Toni McDonald
