Running into his former pupils while on the beat will have advantages and disadvantages according to ex-teacher Constable Kevin Palmer, one of 36 police officers graduating from The Royal NZ Police College this Thursday. Kevin recognised his need for a new challenge so after 13 years at Palmerston North Boys High, latterly as Deputy Rector, he joined the NZ Police in September 2007. Between leaving teaching and joining the Police, Kevin was part of the Ministry of Justice's Crime Prevention Unit in Palmerston North, contributing to the city's alcohol strategy and other crime prevention initiatives. Constable Palmer is posted to Palmerston North.
Thirty-six new police officers will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College this Thursday in Wing 247. The wing's patron is Governor-General, the Honourable Anand Satyanand. In his address to the wing when they arrived at the College in September, His Excellency challenged the recruits to "be the best that you can". Speaking about leadership, he said they would need to keep their feet on the ground and recognise that their purpose is to serve. He also urged them to retain the trust placed in Police by maintaining the respect of their colleagues and of the communities they will serve.
At His Excellency's request, the recruit wing formed the Guard of Honour for the Armistice Day ceremony in November last year at the National War Memorial in Wellington. This was the first time in the 75-year history of the memorial that NZ Police have performed this duty.
Action and excitement during hands-on training were the most enjoyable parts of police recruit training for Constable Selica Winiata. Her efforts paid off as she won both the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award, and the Holden Tactical Skills and Safety Prize, which is awarded to the overall winner in defensive tactics, firearms and driving. Selica showed her commitment to her new career early in her training when she turned down selection for the New Zealand Black Ferns rugby team to play Australia. A member of the Manawatu NPC women's rugby team since she was 14, Constable Winiata intends to continue her sport when she is posted back to Palmerston North.
The graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 7 February 2008 at 2:00pm and will be attended by Deputy Commissioner Lyn Provost.
36 recruits will graduate - 31 males and 5 females
The average age of wing members is 30 (the youngest is 18 and the oldest is 48)
To find out more about joining the Police, phone: 0800 NEW COPS (639 2677) or visit: www.betterworkstories.co.nz.
District postings:
Northland - Whangarei (1), Kaikohe (1)
Waitematâ - Harbour Bridge (4)
Auckland City - CBA (3)
Counties Manukau - Manurewa (2), Papakura (1), Howick (1)
Waikato - Hamilton (4)
Bay of Plenty - Rotorua (), Tauranga (1), Whakatane ()
Central - Wanganui (1), Palmerston North (2)
Wellington - Lower Hutt (2), Wellington (2), Traffic Alcohol Group (2)
Canterbury - Christchurch (2), Timaru (1)
Southern - Dunedin (3), Invercargill (3)
Wing 247 prize winners:
• The Patron's Prize for First in Wing will be awarded to Constable Thomas WILLIS, posted to Hamilton.
Constable Willis will also be awarded the International Police Association Academic Prize (for overall academic achievement).
• The Minister's Prize for Second in Wing will be awarded to Constable Sam McKENZIE, posted to Wellington.
• The Commissioner's Prize for Third in Wing will be awarded to Constable Kelly SENIOR, posted to Lower Hutt.
• The ERICSSON Practical Prize (Overall winner for practical assessments, file preparation and fingerprinting) will be awarded to Constable Graeme LANGFORD, posted to Howick.
• The HOLDEN Tactical Skills and Safety Prize (overall winner in defensive tactics, firearms and driving) will be awarded to Constable Selica WINIATA, posted to Palmerston North.
Constable Winiata will also be awarded the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award.
• The Driver Training Award will be awarded to Constable Darren KIDD, posted to Invercargill.
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 Seaton McGUIGAN, posted to Dunedin
Section Two Constable Royden MUIRHEAD, posted to Invercargill
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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