Police dog handler awarded for bravery

A Tauranga police officer who confronted two armed teenagers in 2007 has been awarded the Charles Upham Award for Bravery. 

At a ceremony this morning, Police Minister Judith Collins honoured dog handler Constable James Muir in front of an audience including Capt Upham's daughter, Ms Virginia McKenzie. 

In June 2007, Mr Muir was involved in a police pursuit of two teenage males in a stolen car, armed with a large quantity of rifles and ammunition. 

Shots were fired during the chase. Afterwards, the youths threatened a fellow officer with a rifle. They then turned on Mr Muir, but the weapon failed to fire. MORE>>