Detective Beth Bates has been announced by the organisers of Women in Security Awards Aotearoa 2023-24 as the winner of the ‘Countering incivility and violent extremism’ category for her role in preventing a potentially major incident in Auckland CBD.
This category recognises a professional who has through their commitment, capability, professionalism, advocacy, innovation, and/or leadership made a significant contribution to the countering of incivility or violent extremism, or who has contributed to promoting open, tolerant communities.
New Zealand Police officer Detective Bates joins the winners of seven other categories as a 2023-24 WiSAA recipient. Her Category Winner citation reads:
Detective Beth Bates is recognised for her work in Waitemata CIB and in particular for her professionalism in preventing a potentially major incident in January 2024.
Detective Bates monitored an individual who had threatened to suicide by detonating several IEDs in Auckland’s Albert Park. Her notifying the appropriate police workgroups led to a response that included the Armed Offenders Squad, Eagle helicopter, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron of the NZDF, and frontline officers. She maintained phone communication with the individual, gathering intelligence as resources were put in place and evacuation completed. Upon attempting to detonate the IED’s the individual was thwarted by the Armed Offenders Squad and arrested.
Detective Bates’ quick thinking, tenacity, and professionalism averted potential tragedy and ensured the ongoing trust and confidence of the public was maintained.
“Were it not for the diligence, professionalism and tenacity displayed by Det Bates, the Albert Park scene would not have been identified and secured,” stated Detective Bates’ nomination.
“The consequences of an explosion in the Auckland CBD by a subject who was intent on denoting his homemade devices had the potential to cause significant injury or damage along with the widespread panic and concern that a bomb explosion would have caused.”
Detective Bates is one of two New Zealand Police officers recognised in this year’s awards, with Inspector Juanita (Whiti) Timutimu, awarded Winner in the ‘Building resilient communities’ category.
The Women in Security Awards Aotearoa (WiSAA) initiative was established in 2020 to promote the role of women in sectors where they are still significantly under-represented, and to recognise women who are advancing Aotearoa New Zealand’s security, risk and resilience sectors.
Nominees must be women, or identify as women, with more than three years of experience in any occupation within the defence, law enforcement, physical security, personnel security, information security, national security, cybersecurity, investigations, intelligence, risk management, emergency management or resilience domains, and be actively practising either in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas in the interests of New Zealand’s security.
Nominations for the 2023-24 awards were received from across the government, military, law enforcement, private, and community sectors.
Winners were announced via the Defsec New Zealand website on 05 June. It is anticipated that a call for nominations for the 2024-25 awards will be made in late 2024 with winners to be announced in time to be celebrated on International Women’s Day (08 March) 2025.
