NZ Police have unveiled a new street art installation, which rises up from Central Auckland, recreating the extraordinary work story of an officer who prevented a young man from acting out thoughts of suicide. The street art, installed at 101 Hobson St, is part of a New Cops recruitment campaign to attract young New Zealanders to a police career.
Sergeant Dee Teao used her skills as a youth aid officer and police negotiator to talk a young man down safely from the dizzying heights of an over bridge.
On the night the incident occurred a troubled young man was on a bridge in danger of jumping or falling off. Dee assessed her options and called up to him. She spoke with him about his whänau, his tamariki and what was troubling him. She appealed to him to not cut off his whakapapa. "What would your whanau do without you?" she asked.
Gradually she built up enough rapport to climb up to the man. At the top Dee changed tack and admitted she too was scared of heights. Admitting her vulnerability caused the young man to stop thinking about himself and become concerned for her safety. Eventually they both climbed down together and he said "You're a cool cop miss."
Acting Commissioner Viv Rickard says "Policing is renowned for better work stories. This extraordinary true story shows the heart, and the mana, that our staff have and that we want to find in all new recruits. By installing this street art we want to challenge young people's perceptions - that when you become cop you don't lose who you are, you use who you are to help people."
Dee says, "By doing this campaign I hope to show young Maori that the blue uniform is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of rangatahi. I'm proof that when you become a cop you don't leave your heritage behind, but bring it with you to the job."
"I balance my time as a mother of two and still have strong links to Nga Puhi, Tainui and Ngati Ranginui. I balance those commitments with my job as a Youth Aid officer and police negotiator in Counties Manukau and I love it."
The young man was referred to mental health services and is now enjoying a new positive outlook on life.
Police are looking to recruit at least 400 people between July 2013 and June 2014.
With New Zealand's population becoming increasingly diverse, police are keen to hear from a broad base of young people from various ethnicities such as Maori, Pasifika, African, Asian and Indian and also want to encourage more women to see police as a career option.
The campaign is supported by the Mental Health Foundation. The Director of Development & Policy, Hugh Norriss says: “We acknowledge the work of the police in recruiting from a diverse range of cultures, with values such as compassion and empathy, which are necessary in working with people in mental distress. Mental health problems are an ordinary part of the human condition. One in five people in any given year and almost half of all New Zealanders will experience some kind of mental distress in their lifetime.”
Addressing suicide is everyone’s responsibility. Some of the most effective protective factors are strong friendships, healthy, supportive family relationships, and an individual’s belief in a positive future.
Acting Commissioner Viv Rickard adds "Every day NZ Police are called to situations where people are affected by mental distress. This extraordinary work story is testament to how vital it is to empathise with victims and potential victims. We need to recruit officers who can respond to this and other situations in an empathetic and effective way."
If you have communication skills, problem solving abilities and empathy and are looking to do something extraordinary to help your community, take the first step to becoming a cop, by going to newcops.co.nz
Download high resolution images of Sgt Dee Teao and the artwork at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94938706@N08/9827763264/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94938706@N08/9827959626/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94938706@N08/9827905653/in/photostream/
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