Fo Guang Shan joins NZ Police’s “Everyday Heroes”

Counties Manukau Police hosted the “Every day Heroes” event on the morning of 23rd February at Barry Curtis Park. This event celebrates not just the Police, Fire Service and St John's but also the organisations, groups and volunteers who make the community safe for us all every day. The day’s events included the presence of District Commander Superintendent John Tims, Manukau Police Inspector Richard Middleton, Manukau Asian Liaison Officer Justin Zeng, and many other leaders and representatives from NZ police and social organisations.

Besides the invocations of blessings from an Iwi elder, Venerable Abbess Manshin was also invited to bestow the day’s blessing on behalf of Fo Guang Shan. Under the leadership of the Abbess, various Venerables, BLIA North Island chairperson Dolly Tsai, sub-chapter chairpersons, committee members and youths formed a congregation of 30 to recite the “Heart Sutra” and perform the song “Harmonise” with hand gestures for the event.

The event exhibited many police activities including police helicopter operations, Armed Offender’s Squad’s operation tactics and live demonstration, live demonstration of crime scene investigation for serious offences, which showed many rarely witnessed techniques and technologies, demonstrations by police dogs to show their cooperation with armed officers to comprehend offenders, and experiencing what it is like to ride inside the back of a police cruiser. The day also included many stalls showing off the works of our customs services, DNA investigation, beach life saving, coast guards, armed offender’s squad gears, medical clincs, power services, water services and many many more.

Bryan and Bobby from the popular local show were also present at the event to interview and converse with the public about their favourite events, and photo opportunity with fans.

Superintendent Tims expressed that the police are here to serve the community; hence they will turn difficult activities into fun tasks. This is especially important when the public are always curious about what entails police work is and what goes on behind the scenes. He is very happy to be able to invite so many social and religious organisations, and as well as the general public on behalf of the police force to join today’s “Everyday Heroes” event. Behind all of this are many touching stories that involve the tens of thousands of emergencies that occur annually. The goals of police work are to ensure everyone’s safety, and for making everyone feel safe. Regardless of what the police do for the community, it is all for the sake of security and stability.

Whether young or old, everyone managed to learn something up close and personal regarding how to respond and protect oneself during emergency situations. The day’s events successfully rounded off at 2:00pm, which was estimated to have had the attendance of over one thousand visitors.