If any members of Recruit Wing 369 were unaware of the significance of the step they were taking, their patron’s words would have left them in no doubt.
The 59 graduates celebrated the end of their initial training with whānau and friends at Te Rauparaha Arena on 21 September and began work in their districts this week.
Joining Commissioner Andrew Coster, Minister of Police Ginny Andersen and other VIPs on the dais was Wing Patron Dr Jarrod Gilbert.
“The most important thing that you can achieve is becoming an ethical police officer,” he told wing members.
“At graduation we give awards to the very best, the top achievers, the excellent - but each of you can be excellent and truly great by upholding the high standards of the New Zealand Police.
“This is an important calling – it’s not about winning, it’s about how you play the game.
“You are the future I see in New Zealand Police and I could not be prouder.”
He acknowledged the recruit trainers for their dedication. “You are an impressive group of instructors who have done an incredible job - I want to thank you for the amazing work you do.”
The 59 graduates bring the customary range of backgrounds and life experiences to their role. Many have family connections with Police or experience in non-constabulary roles.
Newly graduated Constable Simala Tupuono-Pepine and his identical twin brother - and now district colleague - Leasuasu.
Among those with a family connection is Constable Simala Tupuono-Pepine – and folks in Counties Manukau may think they’re seeing double when he joins his identical twin brother Leasuasu in the district.
Leasuasu (Jase) graduated from Wing 365 in May. The brothers were born in American Samoa.
“I’m honoured to be giving back to my community and I’m absolutely ready for this journey to start,” says Simala, a former personal trainer and carpenter.
Jase says he has been learning the ropes since May and is thoroughly enjoying the job. “Until I joined Police, no one in my family had been a police officer, but now there will be two of us,” he says. “It’s a proud moment for our family.”
Top award winners Sean Berg, Constables Angela Swart and Michal Kulikowski.
The Minister’s Award for Top of Wing went to Constable Michal Kulikowski (Bay of Plenty). He was born in Poland and moved to the United Kingdom after graduating from university with a commerce degree.
He was a firefighter in the UK and, since moving to New Zealand four years ago, he has volunteered for his local fire brigade and as an ambulance officer.
“Police attracted me through the idea that what I would be doing… would be making an impact for the better and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to get started,” he says.
The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership went to Constable Angela Swart (Counties Manukau). Angela and her husband were police officers in South Africa before coming to New Zealand six years ago – and Angela’s service included the trauma of being shot and suffering injuries which required constructive surgery to her arm and shoulder. "A steel plate and eight pins remain inside as a reminder.”
In New Zealand, Angela channelled her desire to serve into working in Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke.
She gave the customary speech on behalf of the wing. "We are all aware of the priorities and standards our Commissioner has set for us and embrace them warm-heartedly, ever striving to be the best; to be first, then do; to deliver the service that the public expects and deserves; to build strong partnerships in our communities because we all know we cannot succeed on our own."
She thanked Dr Gilbert, saying his interest in each wing member ranged "from check-ins to fierce competitiveness going over the PCT wall".
To her fellow graduates she said: "New Zealand Police has gained some of its best today and you should feel immensely proud of yourselves."
The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing went to Constable Sean Berg (Waitematā), who has a passion for sport appropriate to the holder of a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Physiotherapy. He says he’s keen to begin work, get into the community and help make a difference.
From left: Constables Lauretta Talumepa; Malcolm Mitchell and daughter Morgin; and Wasim Mohammed.
The honour of being the most senior wing member goes to Constable Malcolm Mitchell (Bay of Plenty), who was inspired to join by his youngest daughter Morgin – she graduated last year and is serving in the Western Bay.
Malcolm grew up in Scotland and moved to New Zealand in the early 2000s. “I’ve always wanted to join Police but the circumstances didn’t allow it earlier in my life. But when my daughter joined, she inspired me to finally try out.”
Constable Lauretta Talumepa (Ngāti Kauwhata, Central District) is a proud graduate whose previous careers will be a boon for her new one.
Lauretta was a case manager at Ministry of Social Development, worked in recruiting for New Zealand Defence Force and, most recently, was an employment consultant for Department of Corrections.
She is a former student of Manukura School (previously known as Tu Toa) in Palmerston North - an alternative education secondary school focused on specifically on sport, and Māori and Pasifika secondary students.
Speaking of schools, Constable Wasim Mohammed (Auckland City) credits his former primary school teacher for encouraging him to join Police. ‘Mr Brown’ was retired Detective Sergeant Andy Brown, who thought the young Wasim would make a good police officer.
Wasim was part way through a Bachelor of Science degree when he decided it wasn’t for him. He was living near the Naval Base in Devonport so was thinking about an armed services career choice.
But his cousin, who’s serving in CIB, inspired him to apply for Police, building on the idea that Mr Brown had put into his head as a child.
About Wing 369
Awards
- Minister’s Award recognising top student, and Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Michal Kulikowski (Bay of Plenty)
- Patron’s Award for Second in Wing, recognising second top student - Constable Sean Berg (Waitematā)
- Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Angela Swart (Counties Manukau)
- Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable Joseph Blatch (Southern)
- Firearms Award – Constable Daniel Wootton (Canterbury)
Deployment
Wing members are deployed as follows, and began in their districts on Monday 2 October:
Northland – 2; Waitematā - 6; Auckland City - 4; Counties Manukau - 11; Waikato - 6; Bay of Plenty - 5; Eastern - 2; Central - 4; Wellington - 7; Canterbury - 6; Southern - 6.
Demographics
28.8 percent of the wing are female, and 71.2 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 69.5 percent of the wing, with Māori 6.8 percent, Pasifika 11.9 percent and Asian 11.9
Who’s the Patron?
Jarrod Gilbert is Director of Independent Research Solutions and a sociologist at the University of Canterbury.
He is New Zealand’s leading gang researcher, having conducted one of the world’s most in-depth criminal ethnographies. He is the author of Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand. He has led research teams on diverse topics including criminal desistance, alcohol-related harm, gang laws and dyslexia.
He is currently leading projects examining the history of murder in New Zealand, the effectiveness of a residential alcohol and drug treatment programme, an examination of the effect of gangs within prisons, and an examination of the Government’s Transnational Organised Crime Strategy.