The thirty-eight new police officers graduating from The Royal New Zealand Police College this Wednesday will boost police ranks over the New Year period when they take up their new roles on 31 December.
They are the last recruits to graduate in 2007, which has been another busy year for The Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.
A total of 722 sworn officers have joined the organisation this year, which includes 132 former UK police officers who have entered through conversion courses. This compares with 671 sworn staff entering Police in 2006 and 516 in 2005.
Among the new officers graduating tomorrow is South Korean immigrant Yong Suk Lee who arrived in New Zealand as an 11 year-old speaking no English. His first two years were spent with a host family in Christchurch before moving to Auckland where his parents joined him. Yong Suk, or Terry as he is called, is the youngest in the wing, entering at 17 years of age but has an impressive history of community service already, having been a volunteer fire-fighter since he was 15 and having worked as a lifeguard at his local swimming pool. "I have received so much from Aotearoa - the opportunity to start a new life. Now I can return the favour by contributing to the community as a Police officer" he says. Constable Lee is posted to the North Shore Policing Centre in Waitemata, and hopes to eventually become an Asian liaison officer.
After a somewhat circuitous route, Australian Kristen Edgington also graduates tomorrow. Kristen spent most of his teens as a competitive surfer and was placed in the top 15 at national level. He is a qualified Naturopath, having had his own practice for two years and also spent 10 years as a Kung Fu instructor, becoming a 'disciple' to the art. After travelling the world and undertaking a variety of different work Kristen married a New Zealander, and has now settled in Rotorua. Constable Edgington has won the graduation prizes for physical training, defensive tactics and driver training (see prize list below). He is posted to Rotorua.
The graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Wednesday 19 December at 2:00pm (note change of day) and will be attended by Commissioner Howard Broad.
• 38 recruits will graduate - 31 males and 8 females • The average age of wing members is 29 (the youngest is 18 and the oldest is 47)
To find out more about joining the Police phone 0800 NEW COPS (639 2677) or visit www.betterworkstories.co.nz. Try the on-line test to see if you could make it as an officer in the NZ Police.
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District postings:
Northland - Whangarei (1), Dargaville (1), Kaikohe (1)
Waitemata -Henderson (4), North Shore Policing Centre (3)
Auckland City - Auckland Central (1), Mt Wellington (1)
Counties Manukau - Mobile Policing Centre (3)
Waikato - Hamilton (4), Te Kuiti (1)
Bay of Plenty - Tokoroa (1), Rotorua (1)
Eastern - Hastings (1), Napier (1), Gisborne (2)
Central - Wanganui (1), Palmerston North (2), Feilding (1), Levin (1)
Wellington - Wellington (2)
Canterbury - Christchurch (1)
Southern - Dunedin (2), Invercargill (1), Oamaru (1)
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Wing 246 prize winners:
- The Minister's Prize for First in Wing will be awarded to Constable Roger LIVESEY, posted to Henderson.
Constable Livesey will also be awarded the International Police Association Academic Prize for overall academic achievement and the Ericsson Practical Prize for the overall winner for Practical Assessments, File Preparation and Fingerprinting.
- The Commissioner's Prize for Second in Wing will be awarded to Constable Daniel KIRK, posted to Gisborne.
- The Patron's Prize for Third in Wing will be awarded to Constable Paul ALDEN, posted to Oamaru.
- The Holden Tactical Skills and Safety Prize for the overall winner in Defensive Tactics, Firearms and Driving will be awarded to Constable Franz FLEISCHANDERL, posted to Mobile Policing Centre.
Constable Fleischanderl will also be awarded the Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training.
- The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Prize will be awarded to Constable Kristen EDGINGTON, posted to Rotorua.
Constable Edgington will also be awarded the Driver Training Prize.
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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 Shane JOYCE, posted to Dargaville
Section Two Constable Euan WHITE, posted to Henderson
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Wing Patron: Graham Lowe
Graham Lowe is acknowledged as being one of the finest coaches ever produced in New Zealand. He began his coaching career in the late 1970s and was appointed coach of the Kiwis national rugby league team from 1983-86. During this time he led them to their first-ever test series win over Australia in 32 years.
Graham left New Zealand to coach Wigan and then Sydney team the Manly Sea Eagles from 1990-92. Following that he became the first non-Queenslander to coach the Queensland State of Origin team. In May this year Graham was appointed National Director of Football for the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) in a move that marks his formal return to NZRL after 21 years' absence.
Graham enjoys enormous respect for his achievements as a coach in the toughest rugby league competitions in the world. His leadership is highly regarded, exemplified in his communication and motivational skills and the energy he puts into developing teams. His dedication and innovation have ensured his rise to the top in such a competitive field.
In recognition of his contribution to his country, in 1986 Graham was awarded the QSM (Queen's Service Medal) for services to the community of New Zealand.
ENDS
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For more information or to attend the graduation please contact:
Katrina Graham, Acting Communications Adviser - 04 238 3572 or 0274 419 216