Forty new constables will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College in Wing 259 tomorrow. Their wing patron has been "everybody’s mate", Peter Charles Leitch QSM, aka The Mad Butcher.
Throughout the 19 weeks the Wing has been at the Police College, their Patron has sent many emails and text messages, and phoned the recruits, to lend support and fatherly advice. He has also given them photographs and letters of good luck as they graduated.
In his blog of 17 August, The Mad Butcher wrote: "This weekend is a really big one for me. I have 40 police recruits from the Royal NZ Police College in Porirua coming up for the game because I am patron of their wing - Wing 259, set to be the best bunch of recruits the police have ever had".
The weekend proved to be the highlight for the Wing with an invitation to the Warriors game against Canberra. They travelled to Auckland on the Friday, met Peter and the team at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday and enjoyed a BBQ with the players. The Wing was then transferred via ferry to Waiheke Island where they were treated to another all you can eat BBQ.
The next day was game day with tickets to The Mad Butcher’s lounge to watch the Warriors beat Canberra convincingly.
Superintendent Mike Wilson, National Training Manager, said Wing 259 was lucky to have such a brilliant patron who showed unwavering, unselfish and generous support.
Of the 40 new constables 30 are men and 10 are women. The youngest to graduate is 20 years old and the oldest is 43.
They will be posted to:
Northland - Dargaville (1)
Counties Manukau - Papakura (4), Otahuhu (6), Howick (8), Pukekohe (3), Manurewa (7)
Bay of Plenty - Tauranga (1)
Central - New Plymouth (1), Levin (1), Palmerston North (1)
Canterbury - Christchurch (6), Timaru (1)
Wing 259 prize winners:
• Minister's Prize for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Lisa FLAVALL posted to Manurewa
Constable FLAVALL was also awarded the Ericsson Practical Prize, for the overall winner for practical assessments, skills files & fingerprinting.
• Commissioner's Prize for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Daniel FREYMARK posted to Otahuhu
• Patron's Prize for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable Glen ROBERTSON posted to Christchurch
• The International Police Association Academic Prize (for overall academic achievement) was awarded to Constable Brent RUSH posted to Pukekohe. Constable RUSH was also awarded the Intergraph Computer Skills Prize.
• The Holden Tactical Skills & Safety Prize (overall winner in defensive tactics, firearms & driving) was awarded to Constable David MARSHALL posted to Howick
• The Intergraph Computer Skills Prize (overall winner in computer studies) was awarded to Constable Brent RUSH posted to Pukekohe
• The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award was awarded to Constable Codee TUMATAIKI posted to Howick
• The Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training was awarded to Constable Nicola WEASTELL posted to Manurewa
• The Driver Training Award was awarded to Constable Owen KING posted to Christchurch
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 Karen ANCELL posted to Howick
• Section Two, Constable Glen ROBERTSON posted to Christchurch
Wing Patron: Peter Charles Leitch QSM
Peter Charles Leitch is well-known for his charity and fund-raising work, and his enthusiastic promotion of rugby league. He is, of course, just as well-known as The Mad Butcher, former proprietor of the large chain of butcher shops of the same name throughout New Zealand.
The youngest of seven children, Peter grew up in Newtown, Wellington, and left school aged 15 to work first as a telegram delivery boy, then a ‘butcher boy’ in Seatoun before moving to Auckland.
Peter is currently an Ambassador for New Zealand Rugby League and was manager of the Kiwis in 2005 when they beat Australia 24-0 to win the Tri-series, and in 2006 when the Kiwis were beaten in extra time. He is also the Honorary Ambassador of the Vodafone Warriors. In fact he is Vodafone Warrior No 19, with the jersey of that number permanently retired in his honour.
Peter was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 1991 for his work in the community. He is the chairman of the Mad Butcher and Suburban Newspapers Community Trust, which has raised well over $1million for charities. He is patron of the SPCA, an ambassador for Allergy New Zealand and the Arthritis Foundation, and involved with the Dyslexic Society.
His personal philosophy is to “deal with everyone, be it workmate, customer or boss as you would like to be dealt with yourself”. In recent times Peter has sold his business to his former Chief Executive and now devotes his time to his many other interests, including extensive speaking engagements.
Peter is married to Janice. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. His family remain his proudest achievement.
Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College, Papakowhai Rd, Porirua on Thursday 15 October at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Honourable Judith Collins, Minister of Police, and Police Commissioner Howard Broad.
Ends
Released by: Penny Clevely
Acting Communications Advisor: RNZPC/TSC
Tel: 04 238 3572 Mobile: 021 326 922
Email: penelope.clevely@police.govt.nz