The latest wing of recruits to graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College has been inspired throughout their training by disabled mountaineer Mark Inglis.
Mark has been patron of Wing 219 and will be joining them for their graduation at 2:00pm today.
As patron, Mark has used the challenges he has faced in life to encourage the wing to keep aiming for greater achievements. At a dinner this week he told recruits about his latest climbing expedition in the Himalayas, where he climbed the world’s sixth highest mountain Cho Oyu in preparation for an attempt at scaling Mt Everest in 2006. Even from Kathmandu, Mark kept in touch with the wing via email.
58 recruits will graduate – 46 males and 12 females.
33 recruits will be posted to Auckland districts - 18 to Auckland City, 9 to Counties Manukau, 6 to North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney.
12 recruits will be posted to other North Island districts - 7 to Central, 2 to Northland, 2 to Waikato, 1 to Bay of Plenty.
13 recruits will be posted to the South Island - 7 to Southern, 4 to Canterbury, 2 to Tasman.
Wing 219 prize winners:
Minister’s Prize for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Karl O’DOWDA, posted to Dunedin.
Commissioner’s Prize for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Marcus McGUIRE, posted to Avondale.
Patron’s Prize for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable Catherine WILKINS, posted to Avondale.
International Police Association Academic Prize (overall winner for academic exams 1, 2 & 3) was awarded to Constable Karl O’DOWDA, posted to Dunedin.
Ericsson Practical Prize (overall winner for practical assessments, file preparation and fingerprinting) was awarded to Constable Marcus McGUIRE, posted to Avondale.
The HOLDEN Tactical Skills & Safety Prize (overall winner in Defensive Tactics, Firearms & Driving) was awarded to Constable Justin HERNIMAN, posted to Christchurch.
Pre-Graduation Prize List:
The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award was awarded to Constable Justin HERNIMAN, posted to Christchurch.
The Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training was awarded to Constable Justin HERNIMAN, posted to Christchurch.
The Driver Training Award was awarded to Constable Lawrence CHRISTIE, posted to Dunedin.
Police Association Prizes for Section 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 Rhys DEMPSTER, posted to Kaitaia.
Section Two Constable Steven JOHNSTONE, posted to Christchurch.
Section Three Constable Catherine WILKINS, posted to Avondale.
Wing Patron: Mark Inglis ONZM
In November 1982 in Mt Cook National Park, Mark Inglis became stranded in an ice cave for 14 days. He lost both legs below the knee to frostbite.
Since then Mark has pursued a wide range of endeavours including legless mountaineer, ski guide and paralympic cyclist (winning a Silver Medal at the Sydney 2000 Games). More recently he has begun writing and inspiring others to excel.
After his accident, he reached the summit of Aoraki/Mt Cook in January 2002 as a double amputee and describes it as a highlight of his life. In recognition he received the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 for services to disabled people, who he says are "people who I see as having not a lack of ability, just a different opportunity". Future sporting goals include a non-stop cycle ride from Kaitaia to Bluff and a climb of Mt Everest, both probable firsts for a double amputee.
Among many public roles, he is national ambassador for CCS (Crippled Children Society) and for Outward Bound’s disabled and youth courses.
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For more information please contact:
Toni Barlow – 04 238 3413 / 0274 419 216