The Police Studies course at his school opened Zacch Te Tau’s eyes to the potential of helping others – now he has a job with Police.
Zacch, Deputy Head Boy of Mana College, Porirua, has accepted a part-time position as a police communicator at the Police Digital Services Centre on the Kapiti Coast.
“The Police Studies Course was advertised at one of my school’s selection expos and I was accepted,” says Zacch.
“As the course progressed I found a passion and longing to help others. It was also through my teacher, who’s an ex-police officer, and this course that I was able to find a job vacancy to be a communication support coordinator at Police.”
The role entails triaging phone calls coming in through police stations. Some are transferred to the Crime Reporting Line or to the non-emergency service 105.
“I went through the process of applying and I was granted an interview - and it was at that interview where they offered me the job,” says Zacch.
“Not only did I get the job but they wanted me to start almost immediately. So, I literally started working on the afternoon of one of my NCEA exams. I’m still at school, but working for Police also.”
The Police Studies course, developed in collaboration with the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) and Unitec Institute of Technology, was piloted in Rotorua. Kapiti, Mana and Aotea Colleges were the first in the Wellington region to deliver it.
On the course, students explore the different career opportunities within Police through guest speakers, practical sessions and visits to the RNZPC – and must complete the pre-entry Physical Appraisal Test. They acquire 26 NCEA Level 3 credits.
Tony Kane, Principal of Kapiti College, says the course has been highly successful. “The growth in the students during the year has been obvious and they have loved the regular interactions with members of the Police,” he says.
“While not all of them will join the Police in the end, as a group they have determined their career and life goals and all that I have talked to are leaving with a strong sense of the importance of service to their community.”
Tony says the programme would not succeed without support from teaching staff within Kapiti, Mana and Aotea Colleges and Kapiti Mana Police.
“Changing perceptions and engaging positively with our young people will reap benefits,” says Inspector Tracey Thompson, Kapiti Mana Area Commander. “This includes seeing some of these rangatahi move into a policing career.”
Zacch has thought about his future: “I want to get fit and become a cop - and when I do become I want to work towards becoming a detective.”
- For information about a Police career check out the Police website - or go to newcops.co.nz to find out more about becoming a police officer.