There is not much Josh Tabley hasn’t encountered during his 19 years patrolling with the Christchurch South Community Patrol.
From burglaries to missing people, attending multiple traffic crashes, assisting injured people and reporting suspicious activity, he has seen it all.
Tabley’s long service has seen him nominated for Canterbury volunteer of the year.
The annual awards recognise outstanding efforts and achievements by volunteers of all ages in all sectors across Canterbury.
Judges praised Tabley’s dedication to both frontline and governance roles, and his outstanding efforts to improve community safety.
In addition to patrolling southern Christchurch, Tabley manages the roster for the patrol’s base radio system, helping co-ordinate communication between units across Canterbury.
Tabley lives in Oxford but grew up in Hoon Hay, part of the area he now helps to keep safe – which adds personal meaning to his community work.
A keen badminton player, he voluntarily runs the Oxford Badminton Club which he started in 2020. On top of that, he operates a free local weather station, Oxford Weather Aotearoa, to keep residents updated.
Along with his day job driving a car transporter truck, Tabley concedes he is a busy person.
“I enjoy driving, that’s why I like doing patrols.”
He credits his wife Melissa and daughter Crysta who have always encouraged his volunteer work.
“I couldn’t sit in an office. I like to be out and about,” he said.
Tabley originally aspired to join the police force at age 20.
He twice attempted the police physical appraisal test where recruits have to accrue enough points along a 2.4km fitness and obstacle course and then finish within a set time limit.
