NZ Police is using the extraordinary deeds of Police officers to help recruit quality young people to the job.
Police recruitment are working with well known artist, Otis Frizzell to recreate extraordinary examples of police work on the streets of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Police has chosen street art as its approach to attract a youth audience.
Acting Commissioner Viv Rickard says the new campaign is inspired by the heroic actions of police in their everyday jobs.
"Yesterday, the first in a series of installations went up in Wellington. We don't want to say too much more about where and when the others are going up, except that there will be four installations in three locations.
"Each one will tell the story of a real officer and the real work they do or have done."
This campaign is particularly targeting young people in the 18 - 25 age group and was inspired by the heroic work of real officers.
"It was also partially inspired by the many young people who came together to help people affected by the Christchurch earthquake. Their actions were heroic too, and those are the sort of people we need in the Police."
"Clearly there are a lot of young people out there who have a real desire to help their community, and this initiative aims to inspire them to think about a police career in a different light."
"It's not all about muscle - we need people with good communication skills, compassion, intelligence, and leadership qualities. We also need young people with different ethnic backgrounds who can speak different languages.
"These days, good quality young people have many different options available to them. We want them to know that Police is a rewarding career option with many different and very satisfying pathways," says Mr Rickard.
Creation of the murals, combined with the stories of the officers who inspired them will form the basis of an online, outdoor, and interactive media campaign.
Yesterday, Mr Frizzell installed an art work in Wellington that tells the story of Detective Kylie Schaare, who has done exceptional work with the Wellington Child Protection team in recent years. The mural is set in Left Bank Lane off Cuba Street and depicts Detective Schaare in a protector role of a young child. At night a light projection casts the shadow of an offender advancing on the child.
Kylie says “The unique thing about dealing with children is that they often don’t have a voice. Police help to give them a voice - to protect them and stand up for them."
Kylie's story highlights the need to recruit intelligent young people.
“I Went to Uni to do a law degree and then went to police college. I did a couple of years in uniform before joining the Criminal investigation Branch. That was what I wanted to do - to solve homicides, child abuse and investigate serious crime. You need intelligent people for that sort of thing - it’s not just the physical side.”
"Times are changing. There are so many different career paths within police, and a degree really helped me to become a detective."
ENDS
The full size photo can be downloaded from http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/shadow-photo_credit_oliver...
Photo caption: Street artist's impression of Detective Kylie Schaare in her role as a child protector for NZ Police.
Further info contact
Grant Ogilvie (Ph 04 474 9476) - PNHQ for Acting Commissioner Rickard
Victoria Davis (Ph 0274 373 020) - Wellington DHQ for Kylie Schaare
