Te Awakairangi Lower Hutt Police recently celebrated 11 students from Wainuiomata High School who graduated from the Police Pathways Programme.
This is the first year Wainuiomata High School has participated in the programme which aims to introduce students to the roles and responsibilities of Police.
Among the cohort of high school graduates was Ivy Beck who is the recipient of a full scholarship from Victoria University. Very grateful for the opportunity, Ivy says she plans on studying criminology or law before embarking on her dream career path which is to become a dog handler or detective for New Zealand Police.
“I have learned so much taking the course and would like to pursue a career in Police someday. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you in the blue someday?”
Since the beginning of the year, Police staff have worked closely with the students to bring to life what the students are learning as part of their curriculum with real-life examples. This includes sharing their experiences and insights into mental health training for self and others or teaching skills about how to build rapport and trust. Various teams including frontline officers, investigators and dog handlers have all interacted with the students.
The best part of the Police Pathways course is the opportunity it has provided to increase trust and confidence with rangitahi.
Youth Aid Officer, Constable Brendon Ronald says, “Working in partnership with the students and the school this year has resulted in positive relationships between Police and the local community. It has been great to have students come up to me just to chat.
“I am really proud of what the students have achieved, and I know that the things they have learned as part of the course will serve them well in the future.”
At the inaugural graduation ceremony, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell encouraged the students to pursue their dreams. Whether that pathway led to Police or not, the skills which they learned throughout the course and embracing Police values such empathy, professionalism and integrity would set them up for success in the future.
The Police Pathways course is NCEA-accredited and counts towards their overall high school qualification. If within two years, students wish to pursue a career in Police, they can bypass the Pre-Police College course without needing to complete the Career Foundation Initial Training (CFIT) distance learning course.
Another 10 students are already enrolled for the 2021 Police Pathways programme at Wainuiomata High School.