Kurt Davison

Working as a part of an investigative team at major crime scenes and fatal accidents, gathering evidence critical to investigations and securing a prosecution.

Key responsibilities

· Capturing visual evidence including photographs, video and CCTV.

· Aerial photography as a qualified Unmanned Aerial Vehicle pilot.

· Preparing visual evidence for presentation in criminal and coronial court proceedings.

Experiences and Achievements

· Direct involvement in over 20 homicide investigations, especially crime scene investigation and evidence preparation for court.

· Primary photographer for Operation Deans, the March 2019 Mosque shootings that resulted in the death of 51 people. I was the photographer responsible for photographing the offender immediately after he was apprehended, and the initial Deans Ave Mosque crime scene. I worked alongside the lead investigator to ensure the appropriate evidence was captured.

· Consultation and collaboration with multiple external agencies. Police photographers are utilised by other enforcement and investigative agencies during investigations. This includes CAA, TAIC, Ministry of Health,f

Worksafe and Coastguard. I am experienced in providing reports and statements to other agencies.

Police Search and Rescue squad member and incident controller responsible for managing SAR operations in both land and marine environments.

Key responsibilities

· Incident management in land and marine based SAR operations.

· Leading partner agencies such as LandSAR and Coastguard through SAR operations utilising the Critical Incident Management Structure.

· Collaboration with the Rescue Coordination Centre and the Maritime Operations Centre to deploy resources and gather data during SAR operations and subsequent investigations.

· Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). Using Interpol investigative processes to collect anti mortem and post mortem data to establish the identity of human remains in mass casualty incidents and report to the Coroner.

· Lead teams of LandSAR and Coastguard volunteers in the field and on the water during SAR operations and training exercises.

Experiences and Achievements

· Incident controller for the 2015 sinking of the FV Jubilee. I lead this search operation from the Emergency Operations Centre in Christchurch. This was a challenging multi-day search operation that involved collaboration between multiple agencies. This included NZ Police, Coastguard, LandSAR, Rescue Coordination Centre, Maritime New Zealand, New Zealand Army, Transport Accident Investigation Commission and WorkSafe. I displayed excellent communication skills during this operation. I was required to communicate with marine vessels of opportunity via marine radio, air assets via radio and cell phone and incident management team members face to face. I spoke directly to TAIC investigators early in the search once it was established the vessel had sunk, and assisted them in their investigation later.

Multiple complex DVI operations that required thorough investigation and reporting to the Coroner to reconcile multinational human remains. This included the 2015 Fox Glacier helicopter crash that claimed seven lives.