WING 299
Forty recruits are celebrating this week as they graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) with an Attestation Parade on Thursday 15 September. Their wing patron Sir Edward "Eddie" Taihakurei Durie, KNZM, welcomed them to their new career on the patron’s breakfast, and has been a mentor to some recruits on the wing throughout the course.
WING PATRON
In the 2008 New Year’s Honours list, Sir Eddie Durie was appointed a Distinguished Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit which was later converted to Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.
In 2009, Sir Eddie Durie was appointed by Attorney-General Chris Finlayson to chair the Ministerial taskforce on the Foreshore and Seabed Act and in 2012, was elected to the Maori Council and elected Co-Chair, a role he held until being appointed the sole Chair of the national body in April 2016.
EDUCATION
Some of those attesting have degrees in Law, Teaching, Health Science, Physical Education, Production Engineering, Psychology and Criminology. Others have qualifications such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors Advanced Diving Certificate, Diploma in Education and Diploma in Sport Science to name a few.
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
All of the newly attested constables have an extremely high standard of fitness, with some that have excelled nationally in sports such as volleyball, athletics and football and others in competitive swimming, rugby and Gaelic football.
Constable Tiffany Parry was a representative at Counties Manukau in hockey, played premier hockey in Auckland and currently plays hockey in North Shore premier competition. It’s no surprise that she’s been jointly awarded the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award along with Constable Damion Cuddihy.
DIVERSITY IN THE WING: from birth places to unusual careers
The 299ers are a diverse group. Not only do we have New Zealand-born constables, but also constables who hail from Chile, England, Kuwait, Lesotho, Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Tonga and of course, our Australian neighbours.
South Korean born Constable Hee Yoon says, “The Auckland Safety Patrol has helped me vastly throughout my year-long police application process by helping me to stay motivated and giving me a range of opportunities to get a taste of what the NZ Police does."
Constable Stephen Palcic was born in Lesotho, southern Africa, and says he wanted to help those who are not as fortunate in life as he was.
“I have worked in fine dining for eleven years and have surpassed any goal I had set down for myself,” says Constable Palcic. “I wanted to devote my time and energy to a job where I could make a genuine difference to people who need a helping hand the most.”
Constable Jeremy Poi has possibly had one of the more unusual careers before joining NZ Police. He has performed nationally and internationally as a dancer, with the Auckland-based Black Grace Dance Company. He says the transition from a professional dance to the NZ Police has been a challenge, but also rewarding.
“I still get to work with amazing people and the only difference is, instead of learning dance moves, I'm learning legislations,” says Constable Poi. “I still get to be me and bring who I am alongside wearing the blue uniform – an exciting adventure I can't wait to begin.”
Constable Danielle Wolter worked as a life guard at Disney World where she encountered a hugely diverse range of cultures and interacted with all walks of life. Given Disney World was built on wetlands and is home to three Water Bridges it is no surprise that she rescued at least 50 people during her time there.
“Working at Disney World after university was an awesome experience,” she says. “Being first-response at a place where millions of people come through each year reaffirmed for me my decision to join the police.”
“I'm excited to start my career with The New Zealand Police,” says Constable Wolter.
VOLUNTEERS AND ARMED FORCES
Our armed forces aid and help safeguard peace and stability, so it’s a no-brainer that many ex-servicemen and women look to join NZ Police, moving from one dynamic organisation to another.
From the NZ Army, we welcome some new constables who have served in a peacekeeping roles in East Timor. We also welcome constables from the New Zealand Army Reserves and other overseas armed forces.
Many of our constables have a passion working with youth. This is not an easy job and when teens are violent, depressed and abusing alcohol or drugs; any help is welcomed. Constable Kareem Dennison was one of a number of new recruits who have worked with both youth and police to help build bridges.
“A troubled teen faces behavioural, emotional, or learning problems beyond the normal teenage issues,” says Constable Dennison. “They may repeatedly practice at-risk behaviours such as violence, skipping school, drinking, drug-use, sex, self-harming, shoplifting, or other criminal acts. I feel like I have been making a difference and can continue to do so as a Police officer.”
AWARD WINNERS – Wing 299
- The Minister’s Award for First in Wing is awarded to Constable Valerie Kent, posted to Auckland City District. This award recognises the top student after the collation of all course assessments.
- The Prevention Award (for demonstration of operational skills and prevention practices) is also awarded to Constable Kent.
- The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing is awarded to Constable James Payne who is posted to Waitemata 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 Jeremy Poi, posted to Counties Manukau.
- The Firearms Award (for firearms skills and safe practices) also goes to Constable Poi.
- The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award is jointly awarded to Constable Damion Cuddihy and Constable Tiffany Parry, both posted to Counties Manukau.
- The Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills) and Driver Training and Road Police Practice Award also go to Constable Cuddihy.
Attestation will take place at the Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 15 September at 2.00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Hon Judith Collins, the Minister of Police, and Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement along with members of NZ Police’s executive team.
ENDS
Media intending to be present at the graduation should plan to be onsite by 1.30pm. Please direct all enquiries or intentions to attend to Leigh Coleman: leigh.coleman@police.govt.nz.