Tomorrow (Thursday May 3) 58 new constables from Wing 313 and two Narcotic Detector Dogs will graduate at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
This wing features a bit of sporting royalty, with Kiwi Ferns Captain Laura Mariu and Kiwi Ferns player and winner of NZ Rugby League 2017 Player of the Year, Apii Nicholls-Pualau both graduating from the black jersey to the blue uniform tomorrow.
Apii has even managed to add a bronze medal to her award collection while training to become a Police officer. In February she went to Queensland to play Rugby League Nines for the Cook Islands at the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship in Queensland.
She even picked up player of the tournament, all while still keeping on top of her Police studies.
“It is a huge honour to be a part of New Zealand Police and I have enjoyed my time here at College. I believe the RNZPC definitely sets the platform for a better future and I can only hope my experiences will help me better engage with our community and set good examples,” says Constable Nicholls-Pualau.
"I can’t wait to make a difference and ultimately contribute to the ongoing success of making New Zealand the safest country.”
Laura Mariu and Apii Nicholls-Pualau will both be posted to Counties Manukau district and start on the beat on May 14.
Apii wants to go on to become a dog handler for New Zealand Police, so it seems appropriate that tomorrow’s ceremony will also see two Northern Territory Police officers and a Cook Islands Police officer, graduate from the Narcotic Detector Dog Handlers Course run by the NZ Police Dog Training Centre.
Inspector Todd Southall, national coordinator of police dogs, says the graduation is another milestone for the role that New Zealand Police has in helping build dog section capability in the Northern Territories and in the Pacific.
“We have a key role in helping maintain training and development, as well as the supply of dogs to the island nations,” Inspector Southall says. “It’s about helping protect our neighbours and protecting our borders.”
Senior Constable Dean McKie from the Northern Territory Police is graduating with Detector Dog ‘Hugo’ who was bred at the Dog Training Centre. He will be attached to the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk.
Sergeant Tyron Bellman from the Northern Territory Police is currently an operational handler and is the Detection Training Sergeant for the entire Northern Territory Police. Tomorrow he graduates as a Detector Dog Instructor.
Constable Peter Pureau from the Cook Islands Police is graduating with Detector Dog ‘Hoss’ who was also bred at the Dog Training Centre and is brother to ‘Hugo’.
As well as these fantastic graduates, the other recruits from Wing 313 have really impressed the leadership staff at the RNZPC and will go on to proudly represent New Zealand Police as Constables.
Notable guests attending tomorrow’s graduation include Wing 313 patron, Secretary of Defence and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence, Helene Quilter, Minister of Police Stuart Nash, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Cumpston, and Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement.
Awards
Minister’s Award, recognising top student after collation of all course assessments, goes to Constable Brita Rolinson-Hayden, who is being deployed to Waitemata District.
Receiving the Patron’s Award for second top student is Constable Christine Smith, who is off to Auckland City District.
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership is being awarded to Constable Christine Smith, posted to Auckland City District.
Constable Matahirau John-Samuel is receiving the Firearms Award for firearms skills and safe practices, posted to Counties Manukau District.
Driver Training and Road Policing Practise Award goes to Constable Christian Linder, who will be deployed to Northland District.
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award will be awarded to Constable Kit Harkness, who is off to Wellington District.
Deployment:
The new constables will be deployed across the country as follows:
Northland 4
Waitemata 8
Auckland 9
Counties Manukau 12
Waikato 8
Bay of Plenty 4
Central 3
Wellington 5
Canterbury 3
Southern 4
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Any media wishing to attend the graduation should contact the Police Media Centre at media@police.govt.nz
It will begin at 2pm at the Royal New Zealand Police College, Papakowhai Road, Porirua.