Seventy-five recruits are graduating as probationary constables from Wing 214 at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 27 November 2003, 2:00pm.
Minister of Police, the Hon. George Hawkins, will be attending the graduation.
Members of Wing 214 have come to Police from a variety of backgrounds and occupations. Among them is a former member of the Queensland Police, a lifeguard, dairy farmer, physiotherapist, nurse and two teachers.
Wing 214 is unique in that it includes the first members recruited after completing a pilot Police Trainee Programme that included a six month preparatory course at the Manukau Institute of Technology. The Police Trainee Programme was developed as an initiative to encourage young people into a Police career, says National Manager Training and Professional Development Superintendent Alistair (Olly) Beckett.
"By encouraging people to enter policing at a younger age, New Zealand Police is less likely to lose good candidates to other professions," says Superintendent Beckett.
Those members of Wing 214 who were recruited via the Trainee Programme range in age from 18-21 years. They are being posted to one of the three police districts in Auckland where they will undertake general policing duties alongside their mainstream colleagues, with on-job support and coaching from Field Training Officers.
"The trainee members had to meet the same recruiting standards as all other Police applicants with the exception that due to their younger age profile they were not required to hold a full driver licence. However, as with mainstream recruits, all have undergone extensive driver training and only seven will not hold a full driver’s licence at graduation. Of these seven, five are due to have their full licence by the end of February 2003, with the remaining two to gain theirs by the end of June 2003.
"New Zealand Police does not make any exceptions to allow these graduates to fast-track their licence and those members on restricted licences or with limited driving experience are not authorised to undertake urgent duty or pursuit driving," says Superintendent Beckett. "We are introducing a managed approach to the on-job deployment of these members and a programme to reassess their driving is in place."
75 recruits will graduate -- 58 males and 17 females.
44 will go to the Auckland districts, 13 will work in the Wellington region, 5 will go to Northland, 6 will go to central North Island stations, and 7 will go to the South Island.
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A number of Wing 214 members are happy to talk to the media and will be available after the graduation for interviews.
A number of senior members of Police will also be available to speak to the media after graduation.
Please see Communications Adviser, Toni Barlow, if you would like to speak to these people.
To attend graduation, please RSVP by Thursday 27 November 2003, 10:00am to: Toni Barlow, Communications Adviser, (04) 238 3413 / 0274 419 216
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Wing 214 prize winners:
• Minister’s Prize for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Daniel MACINTOSH, posted to Wellington.
• Commissioner’s Prize for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Steven CHAD posted to Takapuna.
• Patron’s Prize for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable Gregory AMSTALDEN, posted to New Plymouth.
• The Physical Education Trophy was awarded to Constable Quentin HOERA, posted to Wellington.
• Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training was awarded to Constable Grant PLAISTED posted to Whangarei.
• Prater Memorial Practical Trophy was awarded to Constable Michael TOHILL, posted to Lower Hutt.
• International Police Association Prize for Driver Training was awarded to Constable Timothy SMITH, posted to Napier.
• Ericson Communications I&T Prize for File Preparation was awarded to Constable Daniel MACINTOSH, posted to Wellington.
• Jesson Forensics Prize for Fingerprint Techniques was awarded to Constable Michelle JOHNSTONE, posted to Christchurch.
• John Hamlin Leadership Award was awarded to Constable Matthew RAWSON, posted to Wiri.
Police Association Prizes for Sectional Achievement:
This prize is awarded to an individual from each section who, in the collective view of the members of the section and the wing instructors, made the greatest contribution to the overall success of the team.
Section One: Constable Lauree EGAN, posted to Wiri.
Section Two: Constable Conrad SMITH, posted to Henderson.
Section Three: Constable Michelle JOHNSTONE, posted to Christchurch.
Section Four: Constable Brett MILLIN, posted to Upper Hutt.
Wing Patron: Sir Barry Curtis
Sir Barry Curtis was elected to Manukau City Council in 1968, three years after the City was formed. In 1983 he became Mayor of the young, growing, multi-cultural City. Sir Barry is now in his seventh term of office at Manukau City.
In addition to shaping Manukau City’s philosophies of social equity and justice, Sir Barry has made major contributions to local government regionally and nationally. Among his many public roles he serves as Deputy Chair of the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy forum and as a member of the Regional Land Transport Committee.
In 1992 Sir Barry was honoured Knight Bachelor by Her Majesty the Queen for services to New Zealand. In December 1993 he was awarded the high Samoan Matai title of SEIULI by His Highness, Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa, in recognition of his leadership in the welfare and culture of Samoan and Pacific Island people in Manukau.
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For more information, please contact:
Toni Barlow, Communications Adviser
(04) 238 3413 / 0274 419 216