Twenty new constables made history yesterday (6 September) as Police’s first non-residential recruit wing graduated after 19 weeks’ studying in Auckland.
Whānau, friends and members of the Police Executive were there to see Section 5 of Wing 314 graduate at North Harbour Stadium. Also in attendance were Minister of Police Stuart Nash and Wing Patron Sir Noel Robinson.
The 20 graduates will start their roles on Monday, with nine going to Waitematā District, six to Auckland City and five to Counties Manukau.
They are the first officers to undergo initial training in Auckland since 1974, and the first to graduate from a non-residential training programme.
The initiative was a pilot which followed feedback from potential recruits, many of whom said the prospect of moving to Wellington for the usual 16 weeks’ training at The Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) was a barrier to joining Police.
After firearms, defensive tactics and driver training, the recruits underwent a field training component based at the North Shore Policing Centre in Takapuna.
They received the same training as they would at the RNZPC, led by RNZPC staff and facilitated by Unitec. However, the in-district field training means they are prepared for immediate frontline policing, whereas their RNZPC-trained colleagues undertake field training after graduation.
Inspector Iain Saunders, Head of Training at the RNZPC, says the pilot has been incredibly successful - and the next Auckland recruits will begin their training in the city on 26 November.
Constable Jaedoo Kim
and his father.
"We had 20 out of 20 graduate," he says. "The staff up there, led by Sergeant Chris Kerekere, have done an amazing job in getting this fresh programme up and running, with a great outcome."
Wing 314 was an all-Auckland wing. Sections 1 to 4 graduated from the RNZPC in May.
Section 5 shared Wing Patron Sir Noel with their RNZPC-based wingmates – and Deputy Commissioner John Tims, representing Commissioner Mike Bush at the graduation ceremony, thanked Sir Noel for carrying out his duties with such dedication, twice.
In a break from tradition, the new constables were also attested - taking their oath or affirmation and receiving their constabulary status - as part of the graduation ceremony.
Iain says it is planned that the Auckland training will continue for at least the duration of Police's current growth in recruitment - presenting an opportunity for Police staff based in Tāmaki Makaurau to get involved.
"If anyone has considered training as a career path, there will be multiple opportunities for them to step into that role," he says.
The members of Section 5 come from a variety of backgrounds. Constable Jaedoo Kim was joined at the graduation ceremony by his father – a police superintendent in South Korea. It was a moment of family pride worth travelling for, with Constable Kim receiving the Commissioner’s Award for leadership.
A number have followed family members into Police. Others have military experience, such as Constable Andrea Andrenacci who was in the Italian and New Zealand navies before deciding he wanted to wear Police blue.
Awards
- Minister's Award for first in wing - Constable Tracey Slako, Waitematā
- Patron’s Award for second in wing - Constable Georgia Guy, Auckland City
- Commissioner’s Award for Leadership - Constable Jaedoo Kim, Waitematā