Seventy-four new police officers will graduate tomorrow in Wing 251 and embark on their new careers with NZ Police. Their Wing patron is Tainui kaumatua Koroneihana Cooper QSM. (see below for more information)
The wing ranges in age from 19-40, with many having left interesting jobs and lifestyles to join NZ Police. The wing includes a full-time dad and a grandfather of two.
Graduating first in the wing and still on the lookout for more adventure and excitement is Southlander, Constable Dougall Struthers. Equiped with a BPhEd, Dougall became an adventure guide, taking tourists abseiling 100m underground at Waitomo before heading overseas to Turkey. In Turkey, he worked as a canyoning and rafting guide before setting up a new adventure tourism base with his wife, and training local guides.
Returning to New Zealand Dougall worked as a travel agent and became involved with Variety - the children's charity on their 'Variety Bash', an annual celebrity road trip visiting many communities, schools and marae around NZ to entertain children, canvass donations and distribute funds. He has been involved with Variety for nine years and now drives the bus on tour. Constable Struthers is posted to Christchurch.
Also posted to Christchurch is Constable Jason Turnbull who is fulfilling a 17-year ambition to join NZ Police. An keen and talented amateur boxer from age nine, Jason represented NZ in Sydney in 1995 and is looking forward to getting back into training after his 19 weeks away at the Police College. Describing himself as a family man, Jason says he enjoyed the training, which he says was "a long, hard road but well worth it". He is looking forward to being able to make a difference in people's lives, helping them to feel safe and secure in their communities.
The graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College, Porirua, on Thursday 24 July 2008 at 2:00pm and will be attended by Commissioner Howard Broad.
• 74 recruits will graduate - 56 males and 18 females • The average age of wing members is 28 (the youngest is 19 and the oldest is 50)
To find out more about joining the Police, phone: 0800 NEW COPS (639 2677) or visit: www.newcops.co.nz
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRICT POSTINGS:
NORTHLAND - Kaikohe (1)
WAITEMATA - Henderson (7), North Shore Policing Centre (5), Orewa (2)
AUCKLAND CITY - Avondale (3), Auckland Central (5), Mt Wellington (2), Glen Innes (1)
COUNTIES-MANUKAU - Howick (1), Otahuhu (1)
WAIKATO - Hamilton (6), Thames (1)
BAY OF PLENTY - Tokoroa (1), Whakatane (2)
EASTERN - Gisborne (4), Hastings (3), Napier (3)
WELLINGTON- Wellington (6), Lower Hutt (4)
TASMAN - Greymouth (1)
CANTERBURY - Christchurch (12), Timaru (1)
SOUTHERN - Invercargill (1), Gore (1)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Wing 251 PRIZE WINNERS:
• The Minister's Prize for First in Wing will be awarded to Constable Dougall STRUTHERS, posted to Christchurch
• The Commissioner's Prize for Second in Wing will be awarded to Constable Imogen BARRY, posted to Christchurch.
• The Patron's Prize for Third in Wing will be awarded to Constable Sarah BRUCE-SMITH, posted to Wellington.
Constable Bruce-Smith will also be awarded the International Police Association Academic Prize (for overall academic achievement).
• The ERICSSON Practical Prize for the overall winner of practical assessments, file preparation and fingerprinting will be awarded to Constable Heather PATIENT, posted to North Shore.
Constable Patient will also be awarded the HOLDEN Tactical Skills and Safety Prize (overall winner in defensive tactics, firearms and driving) and the Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training.
• The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award will be awarded to Constable Ryan WIGGINS, posted to Gisborne.
• The Driver Training Award will be presented to Constable Andrew BOYD, posted to Napier.
Police Association prizes for section achievement
This prize is awarded to an individual from each section who, in the collective view of the members of the section and the wing instructors, made the greatest contribution to the overall success of the team.
Section One Constable Lorella HARRISON, posted to Henderson
Section Two Constable Rebecca LINTON, posted to Auckland City
Section Three Constable Jandy SOLOMON, posted to Gisborne
Section Four Constable Christopher QUITTA, posted to Kaikohe
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wing patron, Koroneihana Cooper QSM
Koroneihana Cooper has been Police Kaumâtua for Waikato Police District since 1996. In this role he assists operationally at land occupations, and in blessing the scenes of fatal road accidents. He supports the district by mentoring and providing specific training to the district Iwi Liaison Officers, and Mâori language training to staff.
Koroneihana, or Joe as he is known, is of Tainui descent and was born and raised on Tûrangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia. He is a fluent speaker of Te Reo Mâori, has a wide knowledge of Mâori history and tikanga. He was a confidant of the late Mâori queen, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu and is an advisor to the current Mâori king, King Tuheitia.
Described by those who know him as a gentle, humble man, he uses his considerable wisdom and knowledge willingly to assist organisations that have a strong foundation around the wellbeing and quality of life of the Waikato community. Koroneihana is an advocate for Mâori with ACC, Hospice Waikato and Mâori Touch NZ, and has been a Justice of the Peace since 2000. He is a staunch supporter of Touch rugby as a vehicle to bring Mâori together to celebrate their culture and to gain the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Koroneihana was awarded the QSM in the Queens Birthday honours this year for services to Maori.
For more information or media wishing to attend the graduation please contact:
Katrina Graham, Communications Adviser - 04 238 3572 or 0274 419 216