As 2017 draws to a close, it is interesting to note that the year is book-ended with good news on the policing staff front.

This month's Police News is, not surprisingly, very much focused on the October annual conference.

This year, there were two recipients of a Police Association Bravery Award, presented at the annual conference in Wellington last month by rugby legend Sir Brian Lochore.

In late August, I had the pleasure of attending the Police Sport Winter Games, sponsored by the Association, in Rotorua.

We are only a couple of weeks from the 2017 election and it is game on.

In June, I had the pleasure of travelling the country to attend as many committee AGMs as I could; getting to 31 in total.