Police News June 09.indd - New Zealand Police Association

New Zealand Police Associationnamed in the “Best ever NZ Police Team”picked from all the NZ Police teams that hadplayed between 1981–1996.He was an excellent and tough player.In Wellington, he played for Titahi Bayand the Northern United Club. During hisplaying days for Combined Services, heplayed alongside All Blacks Wayne (Buck)Shelford, Geoff Old and Stu Conn. TVcommentator and former NZ Police andCombined Services team mate, Ken Laban,recalled ‘Lenny’ Snee fondly as a tough(mainly) second five-eighths player. “WhenLenny played in the midfield with EddieEllison (Tamati’s father) their tackling was sofierce they used to terrorise Wellington clubrugby.”Ex-All Black Jamie Salmon readily admits henever relished being marked by Lenny Snee,because of Len’s fearsome reputation as ahard tackler.Eastern Police Operations Manager,Inspector Mike O’Leary, described Len as“a cross between Tana Umaga and DanCarter.” Clearly not someone you wouldwant to be marking.39 first-class gamesLen joined the Napier Technical Club whentransferred north, playing 155 games in theirsenior team. His determination took him intothe Hawke’s Bay rep team in 1989, makinghis debut as a 30-year old. He appeared forHawke’s Bay in 1990 too. When his premiercareer finished, he had played 39 first classgames and he played for Technical’s thirdand fourth division sides for another decade,a reflection of his passion for the game. Thatlove of the game was passed on to sonsSam and Joe, who have both played in theHawke’s Bay.During a lengthy sporting career, Len alsoplayed soccer for Napier Marist and wasa scratch golfer at Napier’s Maraenui GolfClub, where he was the second-lowesthandicapper.He was the ultimate team player in his sportand his work.Great respectHe was a highly respected member of theArmed Offenders Squad and had earneda great deal of respect from his GeneralDuties Branch (GDB) colleagues. As an AOSmember he was the first on the scene whenConstable Glenn McKibbin, 25, was shotnext to his patrol car in Flaxmere, Hastings• Len Snee, on the break as a five-eighths during a NZ Police rugby match. Len representedthe NZ Police team for 11 years and played for the Combined Services side for eight years.- Photo courtesy of Joe Franklin, co-author and Editor of Police in Sport.• Former All Black Norm Hewitt (pictured at centre) was joined by around 100 others in thehaka as Len Snee’s casket was carried from the Municipal Theatre.- Photos courtesy of the Dominion Post/Andrew Gorrie.• Senior Constable Bruce Miller wascritically wounded with a gunshot wound.- Photo courtesy of the Napier Mail.• Senior Constable Grant Diver wascritically wounded with a gunshot wound.- Photo courtesy of the Napier Mail.June 2009113