Wounded Napier siege officers back at work

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Two police officers shot and wounded during the Napier siege in which their colleague was killed have returned to work.

Eight months after being shot by gunman Jan Molenaar, senior constables Bruce Miller and Grant Diver both had their first day back in uniform yesterday.

Ahuriri community constable Mr Miller was covering a shift at Napier police station yesterday morning.

It felt good to be back, he said. "It was time to come back, and this is a way to work into it slowly."

"I'm doing a few part-time duties around the station for a couple of weeks and hopefully will be back into my area at the beginning of March, if all goes well."

He said he never doubted he would return to the job. "I'm feeling OK."

Dog handler Mr Diver was also back at work.

His dog, german shepherd Fi, who was feared dead after spending more than 30 hours trapped inside a police van outside Molenaar's house, has mostly been recuperating with Mr Diver, but has also begun training again.

Sergeant Al McRae, of the Hawke's Bay dog squad, said Mr Diver had been back on light duties yesterday, which began with clearing up nearly a year's worth of correspondence.

Mr McRae had started training Fi a week ago and said she was fit and well. "A dog doesn't forget her job."

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said officers throughout the country would be feeling very of the two men.

He spared a thought for the men's families, who had gone through a horrific experience and were now watching them return to work. "The families are often forgotten in this."

Mr Miller and Mr Diver had gone to Molenaar's house with colleague Senior Constable Len Snee during a routine cannabis search last May, when Molenaar opened fire with a high-powered semi-automatic weapon.

Mr Snee died instantly. Mr Diver was shot in the left lower back and buttock. Mr Miller was shot from behind through the groin and left thigh.

The two wounded officers managed to crawl to safety and were in hospital for nearly two weeks.

- © Fairfax NZ News