For Constable Cezanne Lea’atoa, his first day on the job is definitely one for the memory bank.
A graduate of Wing 379, Cezanne reported for duty two weeks later with the Auckland City District Community Beat Team – his first shift as a police officer.
Before getting stuck in, he supported another officer on his first day in his role: Commissioner Richard Chambers.
Commissioner Chambers was announcing the new Police Base on Federal St in Auckland CBD (pictured, right) – home to the Community Beat Team, alongside the Prime Minister and Police Minister.
Fifty-one beat cops work out of the base, which will have a public counter by the middle of next year.
From base to the beat, Cezanne got his first arrest just hours later - a woman who’d shoplifted $1,330 worth of clothing from a high-end store.
Further investigation revealed 19 other offences over a year across Tāmaki Makaurau, totalling almost $15,000 and earning the offender a next-day court appearance.
"This was great work by Cezanne and emphasises the tremendous work being done by all Community Beat Teams to increase public safety, visibility and reassurance,” says Auckland City Prevention Manager Inspector Beth Houliston.
For Cezanne, he says he felt warmly welcomed into district on a day to remember.
“Walking into a building I've never been in, with the amount of support backing you as you walk through the door and being part of a team I've never been a part of, automatically made me feel like I belonged.
“And to top it all off, having the opportunity to meet the new Commissioner and the Prime Minister before heading out is something I will always remember.
“To hear them thank me for work I haven't even begun to do yet, certainly magnified the fire in me to do my part in keeping the communities safer."
Tonga-born Cezanne, whose father was a police officer there, is adapting to the blue uniform after previously serving as an Authorised Officer.
“I couldn't be happier with how my first shift played out, as well as the amount of support and guidance I received following the arrest. It was a team effort at the end of the day, and it was a first of 'first days'.”
Beth adds: "All constabulary staff have memories of their first day, but to make an arrest and rub shoulders with the new Commissioner and the Prime Minister is pretty special."