Fifty three new constables from Wing 297 have completed their studies and will parade at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) tomorrow, Thursday 23 June 2016.
The new constables hail from many different countries including Australia, China, Cook Islands, England, Hungary, India, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea and Tonga. The Wing’s youngest graduating constable is 18 while the eldest is 43.
The patron for the wing is Dr Helen Anderson QSO. Dr Anderson is a leader who has extensive experience in research, government and business. She has a PhD in seismology from Cambridge University and was an active researcher in geophysics and seismology before taking on leadership roles in the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. At the Ministry she was Chief Scientific Adviser (1997-2003) and then became Chief Executive.
She has represented New Zealand at international forums and is chair of several boards. In 2010 she was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order and a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Wing 297’s contribution to the community:
The recruits of Wing 297 have had varied opportunities to be deployed in the community. Several of these events were Race Relations Day in Kilbirnie, the Titahi Bay School Triathlon and they assisted a Wellington policing unit at a protest at Parliament.
Dr Helen Anderson has joined her wing on numerous activities both at the RNZPC and at outside venues. She has taken part in classroom sessions, Valuing Communities sessions, has watched Defensive Tactics sessions and has been out to the Boxing Academy in Naenae.
Qualifications which may come in handy:
Many of the graduating constables have a variety of tertiary qualifications to be proud of, such as bachelor degrees in Engineering, Commerce, Nursing Sociology and Criminology to name just a few. Some of the constables have a variety of trade certificates or other qualifications between them, including tourism, car mechanics, scuba diving, business, and spray painting.
Fitness and team work go hand in hand for new graduate Te Awa Anderson:
Constable Anderson is the great-grandson of former Kiwi league team captain and Member of Parliament Steve Watene, who was the first Maori to captain a New Zealand national rugby league team. Te Awa is heavily involved in rugby league. “My main goal in joining Police is to change the offending rates of Maori and Pacific Islanders,” he says.
Others in the wing who have excelled in sport or represented New Zealand at their code have been involved in body building, karate, hockey, gymnastics, rugby and wrestling. We also have representatives in soccer, Australian Football League (AFL or Aussie Rules), netball and horse-riding.
Interesting things to note about Wing 297:
Constable Emma Wiltshire was not only an equestrian coach, but also a representative for New Zealand at Equestrian World Champs twice and other international competitions, but she’s also youngest in the wing at age 18.
Constable Kristen Tahau won the 2006 Junior Barrel Racing title and was a representative in a New Zealand Trans-Tasman High School Rodeo team.
Constable Ling Zhang was born and raised in China where she worked as a nurse. “I have been involved in many life-threatening situations. Through my experience I am able to act in a calm, efficient and sympathetic way. Before joining this wing, I worked in the Auckland Central Police Station on the public counter,” she says.
It’s a family affair:
Constable Alexandra Harvey’s cousin was a dog handler, while Te Awa Anderson’s father was a detective in Huntly. Constable Michael Hargreaves’s uncle was in Police and so was Constable Erin Collins’ father. Constable Vincent Smylie’s mother was in Police, Constable Jared Perkin’s father is a police officer, Constable Michael Pouwels’ brother is in Police and lastly Constable Joseph Konlechner’s sister is a police officer also.
Constable Karanbir Singh’s grandfather and father were police officers in India. "Growing up listening to my grandfather's and father’s stories were so interesting that the stories, the many discoloured newspaper clippings and photos carved my desire to join the Police. It’s a great honour to join the police in New Zealand. It gives me great pride to graduate with my family here knowing I can now go out and help people as they did all those years ago,” says Constable Singh.
And at the RNZPC Constable Christopher McManus will be attested today and he’s the son of Inspector Sean McManus who is Head of School: Initial Training, RNZPC.
Recruits previously in armed forces:
Constable Kristen Tahau was a NZ Navy Marine Technician and Constable Kylie Learmonth was a volunteer reserve with Royal NZ Navy, while Constable Christopher Gardner was a member of the Royal Marines.
Constable Craig Morgan was a NZ Army rifleman, deployed to Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, the Middle East, and to the Christchurch earthquakes where he helped with urban search and rescue and was attached to Christchurch Police in a response vehicle.
Constable Morgan also worked in Military Police and was Station Commander at Burnham Camp. “My involvement and working with the Police, during the response to the Christchurch earthquakes, and witnessing the professionalism within, prompted me to change over from the military. I see this job as a way to make positive changes and continue to help others,” he says.
Wing 297 award winners:
• The Minister’s Award for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Joseph Konlechner, posted to Wellington District. This award recognises the top student after the collation of all course assessments.
Constable Konlechner was also awarded the Prevention Award (for demonstration of operational skills and prevention practices). He spent seven years as a medic in NZ Army and three and a half years as a firefighter in the New Zealand Fire Service.
“As part of my Army medic training I was regularly rostered onto shifts with St John and Wellington Free Ambulance. This introduced me to some of the suffering and hardships in our communities. In many situations involving youth, mental health and alcohol, I found it rewarding to help individuals through their times of need. These experiences are one of the main reasons I wish to be involved in prevention.”
I was deployed on Operation Pacific Partnership to Papua New Guinea as a medic as part of a multinational humanitarian operation. My first role was triage at mass aid stations, providing much needed medical care. My second role was constructing small buildings in remote villages. “To this day helping these people is one of the most rewarding things I have done.”
• The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Jordan Oliver, posted to Eastern District. This award recognises the second top student after the collation of all course assessments.
• The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership in recognition of outstanding potential to lead self and others) goes to Constable Robert Keepa, posted to Bay of Plenty.
• The Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills) was awarded to Constable Stuart Belgrave, posted to Wellington District.
The Attestation Parade will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 23 June at 2.00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Police Commissioner Mike Bush, along with members of the police executive.
ENDS
Media intending to be present at the parade should plan to be onsite by 1.30pm.
Please direct all enquiries or intentions to attend to: Jillian Reid 021 947 003 or email Jillian.Reid@police.govt.nz