Papanui - Policing

Policing

As the city expanded a Police Station was built in Papanui in proximity to the railway line not far from the station and was opened on 8 October 1879. The buildings erected were a watch house with two cells, and a six room cottage at a cost of £824. The Papanui police area was huge at that time and went westward to Sheffield and Coalgate. The first officer in charge was Constable Daniel Flanagan and he held the post for nearly seven years.
After 80 years a new police station and residence was opened in 1959 on Papanui Road just south of the Blighs Road intersection. In 1979 the Senior Sergeant's residence was converted into offices with a CIB office being opened in the same year. Detective Sergeant Roy Powell was the first appointee. The first policewoman stationed at Papanui, in September 1978, was Constable Diane Smith.
For Papanui residents in the 1950s and 1960s the name 'Handlebar Harry' will bring back memories of a tall policeman on a push bike. Constable Ronald Miles was the local enquiry officer and had the habit of riding the streets of Papanui with his typewriter strapped to the handlebars of his cycle. However it was not the position of the typewriter that earned him the nickname, it was his wonderful 'Jimmy Edwards' style flowing moustache.
The current Police Station is opposite Langdons Road on the corner of the Main North Road and Mary Street and was opened on 30 October 1991.
As an interesting foot note the Watch House has survived the years and can now be seen amongst Lady Isaac's collection of heritage buildings at McArthurs Road, Harewood.