Deputy Commissioner Viv Rickard today (1 June) signs off on a 33-year police career which has taken him from the streets of Auckland to the Executive floor and beyond.
Viv is finishing as the statutory Deputy and as Deputy Commissioner District Operations to take up the post of Deputy Chief Executive Service Delivery – formerly Work and Income - at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
“I leave New Zealand Police loving the organisation and loving what we do,” he says.
“The thing I’ll miss is the people we’ve got – they’re really good people and I always enjoyed my interactions with the front line.
As Deputy Commissioner Resource Management, Viv had the
Dog Training Centre among his responsibilities.
“My approach was always that if things weren’t working on the front line or in districts, I didn’t blame them – I would look at what people like me were doing to make things better for people like them, to help make sure New Zealanders could be safe and feel safe.”
Viv joined Police in 1985 at the age of 20. His home was Rotorua – he is of Te Arawa, Ngāti Whare and Ngāti Porou descent – but he was posted to Glen Innes, Auckland.
“I loved Glen Innes,” he says. “It was hard work but great fun. Earlier in my career we seemed to have more fun but I tried to keep that through my whole career, getting people to enjoy what they did and bring their personality to work.”
He rose through uniformed and CIB ranks to achieve his original ambition to be a Detective Inspector, then kept going.
At the age of 36 he was appointed Northland District Commander, spending five years in the role. He also served two years as Waitematā District Commander before being appointed Assistant Commissioner at Police National Headquarters (PNHQ).
He served as Assistant Commissioner with Operations and Crime and Investigation portfolios. In 2010 he was appointed Deputy Commissioner Resource Management, and in 2014 Deputy Commissioner District Operations.
He spent two years on secondment to MSD, which included a period leading CYF and three months relieving as Chief Executive.
“From a leadership point of view, I’ve always believed it’s all about doing it for our people,” he says.
“I believe we should listen to our people and be upfront with them and I’ve tried to maintain that throughout my career.
"I loved district command in Northland and Waitematā. I’ve basically been in charge of every group in PNHQ in the roles I’ve had but I really like the one I’m currently in, working with districts. That’s where my heart is.
"I’ve been part of our transformation programmes, from after the 2008 global financial crisis and what we knew as Policing Excellence and the focus on prevention and victims.
"I’ve enjoyed working directly with four Commissioners of Police. I’ve found them all to be decent, hardworking people who really care.
"I’ve worked with some great people and that’s what I’ll miss. They’re smart, dedicated and really care about New Zealanders”.
Viv says he is excited about the next challenge in one of the largest operational roles in government. “I’ve worked in MSD before - I know they’ve got some great people so I’m looking forward to it.
"In some ways it’s like Police - it’s all about leading people and getting them excited about what we do.”
"That's where my heart is": Viv with Assistant Commissioners (Districts) John Tims and Bill Searle at the District Commanders Forum at PNHQ last month.