Nineteen UK police officers finished the 10-week conversion course at The Royal New Zealand Police College yesterday.
They will now take up positions as operational police officers in the upper North Island in the general duties and traffic operations sections. Their training is ongoing and over the next two years they will complete a workplace assessment programme.
Before joining the New Zealand Police service, the officers worked in Scotland, Wales and England and bring on average 10 years of operational experience to the service.
"These officers are seasoned frontline staff, some of whom have held positions at sergeant and inspector level. They have proved themselves as a fit, diligent and professional group and they will be a great asset to the New Zealand Police," says Police College Training Commander Superintendent Alistair (Olly) Beckett.
The course members formally 'passed into' New Zealand Police during a formal dinner ceremony at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday evening.
The officers will start work at their stations in the next week. Eight will serve across the Auckland isthmus in North Shore/Waitakere district (3), Auckland City district (2) and Counties Manukau district (3). Ten officers will work in the Waikato district and one will be posted to Wellington district.
Another small intake of 20 UK police officers is expected to arrive in early October.
UK Officer Conversion Course 2006/2 Profile
Gender
-¢ 19 officers -" 18 male and 1 female
Previous Rank
-¢ 17 Constables; 1 Sergeant; 1 Inspector
Previous Area of Police Work
-¢ 1 member - Traffic Safety branch
-¢ 18 members - General Duties section
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For more information please contact:
Amanda Herrick, Communications Adviser - 04 238 3413 / 0274 419 216