Wing 348 to graduate at the Royal New Zealand Police College tomorrow

Fifty-nine new constables of Wing 348 were attested yesterday, at the Police College in Porirua, and will graduate tomorrow Thursday 25 November.
 
Commissioner Andrew Coster, Police Minister Poto Williams and Wing Patron Dr Mustafa Farouk QSM will attend the graduation ceremony. 
 
Dr Farouk is a member of the Police Muslim Communities Reference Group. This group guides Police in the implementation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 15 March Terrorist Attacks.
 
In the aftermath of those attacks in Christchurch, Dr Farouk deployed immediately alongside Police. He played a pivotal role liaising with police, helping to plan the response to provide reassurance to affected families and the wider Muslim community. He has also been a voice for the Muslim community on firearms law reform and an advocate to address hate and discrimination.
 
When he spoke to the wing on their first day of training, Dr Farouk emphasised the importance of relationships between police and their communities.
 
“No matter what you do, relationships are important because that is what will make your work easier. My advice to you is get to know the people you’ll be dealing with.”
 
Due to COVID restrictions, limited numbers of family and friends have been invited to the graduation from alert level 2 areas of the country. The ceremony will also be livestreamed to those unable to attend. 
 
Awards
 
Minister’s Award recognising top student – Constable Lewis Ferguson, Counties Manukau District
 
Patron’s Award for Second in Wing, recognising second top student – Constable Friederike Faber, Counties Manukau District
 
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Matthew White, Northland District
 
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Tama Tukaki, Canterbury District
 
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable Lisa Garrity, Eastern District
 
Firearms Award – Constable Wayne Sandbrook, Central District
 
Deployment
 
The wing is being dispersed to districts as follows, starting their frontline duty on 6 December: 
 
Northland – 2, Tamaki Makaurau – 21, Waikato – 4, Bay of Plenty – 2, Eastern – 6, Central – 5, Wellington – 8, Tasman – 3, Canterbury – 3, Southern – 5
 
Wing demographics
 
Female 42.4%, gender diverse 3.4%, and male 54.2%; NZ European 69.5%; Māori 11.9%; Pacific 8.5%; Asian 6.8%; Other 3.4%
 
ENDS
 

Caption for Picture of Wing 348 Graduates: Left to right: Top student for Wing 348 and previous Police Emergency Call Taker and Dispatcher Constable, Lewis Ferguson; Constable Nita Rakovica, also a previous Emergency Call Taker; and Constable Penieli Talataina-Ki, a former non-emergency 105 call-taker.

 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Unfortunately Media will not be able to attend the ceremony tomorrow due to COVID restrictions. Please contact media@police.govt.nz for any queries in relation to this graduation.
 
A Ten One Magazine story about the graduation, with photos, will be published on the Police website next week.