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Whichever police officer replaces Inspector Anson Lin has some massive shoes to fill.
Lin will be known to many east Aucklanders from his role leading Counties Manukau East Police’s work with its Community Partner organisations, which give local groups the chance to network and get updates from police on crime statistics and their work in the area.
Among the other numerous initiatives he’s been involved with locally are teaching road safety to school pupils, dispensing vehicle theft prevention advice, Anzac Day commemorations on Stockade Hill in Howick, helping to prepare meals for the public at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (FGS NZ) in Flat Bush, distributing Covid-19 tests to schools during the pandemic, and tree plantings.
He’s been promoted from the rank of senior sergeant to Inspector and is leaving the Ormiston Road station for a new role with the police’s emergency communications and dispatch workgroup based in Otahuhu.
More than 100 people recently turned out to an at times emotional function staged at Fo Guang Shan temple to see Lin receive his Inspector epaulettes and be formally farewelled from the area.
Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ led the guests in prayers, offering blessings for Lin’s continued dedication and success in his new role.
She helped to present him with a calligraphy scroll by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of the FGS order.
Among those to thank Lin for his work locally over the years was Counties Manukau East Police area commander, Inspector Rod Honan.
He said Lin had been a “great support” to himself and to prevention manager, Inspector Rakana “Raks” Cook, since Honan had arrived in the area a couple of years ago.
“You’ve really come of age working with Raks on operations and projects,” Honan said.
“When we sat down and said ‘what we do for Anson’s farewell?’ Being the humble man you are, you just wanted something upstairs [at the station].
“But seeing all the people here today, it shows the impact you’ve had on the people you’ve worked with. Well done, mate, and we wish you all the best.”
Cook then thanked Lin for his hard work behind the scenes “to support our people, our area, to support anyone in the community, and the police”.
“It goes without saying we are very proud you are here, and you deserve everything that’s coming your way.”
Cook presented Lin with a taonga, a Māori greenstone patu, “that symbolises strength and courage to get you through anything that comes your way, and also that high status now that you’re an Inspector, but I know you’ll still look after everyone like when you first joined the police”.
Abbess Manshin said the temple had known Lin for many years.
In 2010 she was the patron of Royal New Zealand Police College wing 261, of which Lin was a member.
In the years since, the temple had seen Lin grow and develop in every stage of his journey, she said.
The abbess encouraged Lin to continue embodying compassion and wisdom in his service to society, to stay true to his aspirations, let go of past grievances, offer help proactively and adapt with equanimity.
Lin then spoke, thanking all those in attendance.
“This means a lot to me,” he said. “It was not an easy decision to leave a district I’ve known for the last 18 years.
“Counties Manukau has been my home, my community. I want to thank all my supervisors and managers over the years.
“Each of you in your own way has taught me, not just about policing, but about humanity, resilience, and what it means to do the job with purpose, to make tough calls and support our people.”
He thanked the community partner groups he’s worked alongside.
“Over the last six years especially I’ve had the privilege of working with all of you.
“You’re so passionate. We’re all working with the same goal, [being] safer communities together.”
Lin thanked the police teams based at the Ormiston Road station for making it “feel like home”.
“Ormiston in my eyes is the best station, not because of the building … but because of the people.
“You welcomed me, you backed me, and you walked alongside me on good days and bad.”
Finally, he expressed his gratitude to Abbess Manshin and Fo Guang Shan temple, his parents, and his wife and their children.
“To everyone who’s here today, thank you for being part of my journey and thank you for your support and friendship.
“We can achieve our goals together. I’m proud of what we have done.”
The function ended with photos being taken of Lin and those who’d gathered to farewell him and a delicious shared meal in the temple’s spacious grounds.
