28 October
A corrections officer from Auckland Prison has received the Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Award today to acknowledge the role he played in assisting a member of the public who was having a seizure.
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews says Corrections Officer Karl Nielsen displayed initiative and care for others during the incident which took place on the side of a busy road.
“Karl is being presented with this award for his quick thinking and selfless actions when he tended to a man who had fallen from his bike onto the road and was having a seizure.
“His actions to reassure the man and provide first aid treatment, whilst instructing others to direct traffic and call for emergency services, prompted a bystander to contact the Department of Corrections to let us know what a credit he is to the organisation.
“Even outside the walls of a prison, this officer showed his true colours, putting the immediate need of another above his own. He was quick to act and demonstrated his duty to care,” Mr Matthews said.
The Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Awards were introduced last year as a means for the Department to recognise when staff act above and beyond the call of duty. The award is given to recognise the exceptional behaviour of staff through courage, skill or initiative in a one-off situation.
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