Staff at The Royal New Zealand Police College are getting ready to welcome several thousand visitors to their Porirua campus on Saturday 23 February for the NZ Police Open Day. The day will coincide with the centenary of the NZ Police Museum and follow on from the three-day 'International Police Museum's Conference' taking place at the College, 20-22 February. A feast of entertainment, action and information is promised with more than 45 police units and key partners taking part in displays ranging from Armed Offender's Squad members dropping out of a helicopter to the latest puppies from the police dog breeding programme.
The 'free' day runs from 10am to 4pm. Coordinator of the event, retired Superintendent Paul Mears says the day has been planned to appeal to all ages but will have special features to interest family groups. Attractions like the puppies, Constable Bryan with his police dog puppet Bobby, and the chance to sit on a Police motorcycle or have their fingerprints taken are bound to be popular with the children.
Police staff will be on hand to talk to visitors about the many fascinating aspects of policing. Static displays include the latest police information and communication technology, some of the techniques made popular by forensic investigation TV programmes like CSI, as well as NZ Police's contribution to world-wide policing, in places like Timor Lesté and Bouganville.
In addition to informative displays, there will be a continuous stream of live action in various outside spots. "The action displays are timed to feature throughout the day so no-one has to miss out on seeing the things that interest them," says Mr Mears. These live displays include police dog teams searching for drugs and apprehending a 'criminal', skilled motorcycle riders, and a combined display where the Fire Service, Ambulance and Police work together using the 'jaws of life' to rescue an accident victim. The Police Pipe Band will perform in the morning and the Police Museum will be open all day, also with free admission.
****** TIMETABLE OF LIVE DISPLAYS ******
10:15am NZ Police Pipe Band on the parade ground
10:45am Motor cycles on the parade ground
11:30am AOS dropping from helicopter for combined display with Police dogs on the playing field
12:15pm Vehicle Management Circuit - demonstrating safe management of common skid types
12:30pm Police drug dog
1:00pm 'Bryan and Bobby' Police dog in training puppet show at the Police Museum
1:30pm Motor cycles on parade ground
2:00pm Combined Fire Service-Ambulance-Police with 'jaws of life' on parade ground
2:30pm Police drug dog
3:00pm Vehicle Management Circuit
3:30pm Police dogs/AOS combined display using helicopter
****** FULL LIST of DISPLAYS ******
• Police Museum with newest police puppies • Police Dogs apprehend 'dangerous criminal' and search for drugs • Armed Offenders Squad with a helicopter • Vintage police cars and motor cycles usually housed at MOTAT • Police motorcycles and cars in moving display • Highway Patrol and Serious Crash Unit • Police horses • Police information and communications technology - with concept vehicle introducing as yet unseen technology • Fingerprint and document examination methodology • Forensic science and electronic crime investigation techniques • Police Dive Squad and Maritime unit • Community policing • Constable Bryan and a police dog in training - as seen on TV3's 'Bryan and Bobby' • A combined Fire Service / Wellington Free Ambulance display including the 'jaws-of-life' • Explosive detection and 'bomb squad' • Police Pipe Band • Crime scene photography and preparation of identikit images • Motor Vehicle crash analysis • Clandestine drug laboratories • Neighbourhood Support, DARE Skills for Life, Victim Support
Live commentary throughout the day will explain activities at the various events on offer and everyone is welcome. Lunch and morning and afternoon teas will be on sale.