Nineteen UK police officers have completed their 10-week conversion course at The Royal New Zealand Police College this week.
The group is the third intake of UK officers to pass into the New Zealand Police this year, taking the total number of UK officers who have joined the organisation through conversion courses in 2006 to 134.
From next week, 17 of the new officers will take up positions in Auckland, one will work in Balclutha and one will work in Mosgiel.
Fifteen of the officers will be working in general duties, while four will work in the CIB (Criminal Investigation Branch) in Auckland.
The conversion training for all the officers is ongoing and over the next two years they are required to complete a workplace assessment programme.
Before joining the New Zealand Police, the officers worked in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and one worked in Bermuda, says National Manager: Training and Professional Development Superintendent Alistair (Olly) Beckett.
"They bring a total of 183 years of service to the New Zealand Police, with the minimum length of previous service being four years and the maximum 19. Among them are six people who joined the New Zealand Police with detective qualifications and four who had sergeant qualifications.
"New Zealand Police is gaining very valuable professional experience by recruiting overseas officers. They are people who have made a big commitment to move here and show real dedication to their new country and career."
The course members formally 'passed into' the New Zealand Police this week during a formal dinner ceremony at The Royal New Zealand Police College attended by British High Commissioner George Fergusson and his wife Margaret.
Another intake of UK police officers is expected to arrive in February.
UK Officer Conversion Course 2006/3 Profile:
Gender:
19 officers - 17 male and 2 female
Previous Rank:
11 Constables, 4 Detective Constables, 2 Sergeants, 2 Detective Sergeants
Postings:
• North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney (3) • North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney CIB (2) • Auckland City (5) • Auckland City CIB (2) • Counties Manukau (5) • Southern (2)
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For more information please contact:
Toni Barlow, Communications Adviser - 04 238 3413 / 0274 419 216