Seventy-eight new constables will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College, Porirua, in Wing 269 today. Their wing patron is the inspirational Billy Graham.
Billy, a former boxing champion, world-renowned speaker, author, and all round good guy, has been an outstanding patron. Billy’s life story reinforces that anyone can do anything if they set their sights high and get on with the job. He is famous for turning common sense into an art form and is in demand all over the world as a unique motivator. Billy established the Naenae Boxing Academy in 2006 and since then has helped hundreds of young boys and teenagers, many with no father figure to guide them, turn their lives around.
Since May of this year, the two groups of ‘Team Billy’ and Wing 269 have developed a strong friendship. Academy boys have visited the Police College and vice versa. The College is now keen to establish a very special arrangement of reciprocal visits annually with the Academy, which both groups are delighted about.
She's no lightweight!
Eighteen-year-old Constable Tess Kai Fong, the youngest on the wing, has won the Minister's Prize for first in wing and the overall prize for practical assessments, skills files and fingerprinting. Constable Kai Fong says there was no question in her mind that being a police officer was the job for her.
"Everyone I spoke to said that it was the best job in the world. I thought if they can do it then I can too."
Constable Kai Fong is not the only one with youth on her side with over 60% of Wing 269 falling within the 21 to 30 year age group.
Members of Wing 269 have been posted to stations throughout the country
They will be posted to:
Northland - Kaikohe (2), Kaitaia (1)
Waitematā - Henderson (8), North Shore (1), Orewa (1)
Counties-Manukau - Howick (2), Manurewa (1), Otahuhu (4), Papakura (1)
Waikato - Hamilton (6), Te Kuiti (1), Waihi (1)
Bay of Plenty - Rotorua (4), Taupo (1), Tauranga (5), Tokoroa (1), Whakatane (1)
Eastern - Gisborne (1), Hastings (3), Napier (1)
Central - Hawera (1), Palmerston North (3), Wanganui (2)
Wellington - Lower Hutt (2), Porirua (2), Upper Hutt (1), Wellington (2)
Tasman - Blenheim (2)
Canterbury - Christchurch (10)
Southern - Dunedin (2), Invercargill (2), Oamaru (1), Queenstown (1)
Wing 269 prize winners:
•Minister's Prize for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Tess Kai Fong, posted to North Shore. Constable Kai Fong was also awarded The Ericsson Practical Prize for the overall winner for practical assessments, skills files & forensic fingerprinting
•Commissioner's Prize for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Andrew Flinn, posted to Rotorua. Constable Flinn was also awarded the International Police Association Academic Prize (overall winner for Academic Exams 1, 2 & 3).
•Patron's Prize for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable James Chamberlain, posted to Tauranga.
•Holden Tactical Skills & Safety Prize (overall winner in defensive tactics, firearms & driving), and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Prize, was awarded to Constable Kurt Stephenson, posted to Christchurch.
•The Driver Training Prize was awarded to Abby Minnell, posted to Tauranga.
•The Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training was awarded to Constable Damian Schuurman, posted to Christchurch.
•The Intergraph Computer Skills Prize (overall winner in computer studies) was awarded to Constable Steven Grant, posted to Manurewa.
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 Joeline Arundel, posted to Wellington
•Section Two Constable Scott Gosnell, posted to Hamilton
•Section Three Constable Phillippa Smith, posted to Napier
•Section Four Constable Brendon Palmer, posted to Kaikohe
Wing Patron: Billy Graham:
Billy Graham is a world class international speaker and has spent a lifetime involved in sport and physical fitness.
A former New Zealand and Australasian light welterweight boxing champion, he has achieved success through goal setting and determination.
Having left school unable to read or write, Billy took up butchering and later teaching physical education. He eventually started his own business and some of his talents were recognised when he appeared on TVNZ’s programme “Made in New Zealand”, which featured successful New Zealand companies.
In 1998 Billy had his memoir, Your Ship Came in the Day the Doctor Smacked Your Bum, published. It reached No.1 bestseller on New Zealand’s business book list. He is presently writing his second book based on his experiences mentoring kiwi youth.
In January 2006 he established the Naenae Boxing Academy; a charitable work which is the fulfillment of a life-long dream. Billy trains 80 young men three days a week out of his desire to make a difference and provide for others what was provided for him. He is having a significant impact and imparting to youth important life-skills and the message they can be anything they want to be if they don’t break the rules.
Billy loves people and delights in sharing his zest for living with others, whether they are business executives or school children.
Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College, Papakowhai Rd, Porirua, on Thursday 6 October at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Honourable Judith Collins, Minister of Police, and Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.
Ends
Released by:
Penny Clevely
Communications Manager: RNZPC/ TSC
Tel: 04 238 3572 / Mobile: 021 326 922
Email: penelope.clevely@police.govt.nz
