Seventy six new constables will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College in Wing 273 on Thursday 26 July. Their wing patron is Kristy McDonald QC.
Constable Andrew Stephens has taken out five of the ten prizes available, including first in wing and the overall prizes for academic, practical and tactical assessments. Constable Stephens is an honours degree graduate from Otago University where he studied physical education.
Andrew's success will be no surprise to his honours degree supervisor who asked him to put his name forward for a Rhodes scholarship. The Rhodes scholarship is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford in England. Although 'honoured' to be asked, Andrew turned down the nomination and decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the New Zealand Police.
"My father being a police officer played a big part in my decision. I grew up in a police environment, always being known as 'the policeman's son' so I have a good understanding of what the job entails."
It's not all academic prowess for Constable Stephens. He is a former South Canterbury Junior Rugby rep and has competed at a regional level in long distance running. These attributes will no doubt assist in his career aspirations, which include working in specialist groups such as Search and Rescue and AOS.
Members of Wing 273 have been posted to stations throughout the country.
Northland - Whangarei (1), Kerikeri (1)
Auckland City - Auckland Central (10)
Waitematā - Henderson (4), North Shore (4), Orewa (1)
Waikato - Hamilton (2), Te Awamutu (1), Te Kuiti (1), Waihi (1)
Bay of Plenty - Rotorua (2), Taupo (1), Tauranga (1), Whakatane (2)
Eastern - Gisborne (2), Hastings (1), Napier (1)
Central - Hawera (1), Levin (2), New Plymouth (1), Palmerston North (1), Taumarunui (1), Whanganui (2)
Wellington - Lower Hutt (2), Porirua (3), Upper Hutt (1), Wellington Central (3)
Tasman - Nelson (3), Blenheim (2)
Canterbury - Christchurch (10), Timaru (1)
Southern - Dunedin (5), Invercargill (2)
Wing 273 prize winners:
•Minister’s Prize for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Andrew Stephens, posted to Invercargill. Constable Stephens was also awarded the International Police Association Academic Prize (overall winner for Academic Exams 1, 2 & 3), the Ericsson Practical Prize (overall winner for Practical Assessments, Skills Files & Fingerprinting), the Holden Tactical Skills & Safety Prize (overall winner in Defensive Tactics, Firearms & Driving), and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award.
•Commissioner’s Prize for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Michael Alexander, posted to Lower Hutt.
•Patron’s Prize for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable Geoffrey Reid, posted to Christchurch.
•The Intergraph Computer Skills Prize (overall winner in Computer Studies) was awarded to Constable Kathryn Smith, posted to Wellington.
•The Meltzer Prize for Weapon Training was awarded to Constable Matthew Menzies, posted to Dunedin.
•The Driver Training Award was awarded to Constable Jonathan Robinson, posted to New Plymouth.
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 Phillip Black, posted to Palmerston North
•Section Two Constable Clayton McMillan, posted to Porirua
•Section Three Constable Michael Ross, posted to Christchurch
•Section Four Constable Shane Toa’fa, posted to Auckland Central
Photo: Constable Andrew Stephens - looking forward to a break from study when he hits the beat.
Wing Patron: Kristy McDonald QC
Kristy McDonald QC is a barrister with extensive experience in criminal, civil, and public and constitutional law. Kristy has extensive experience as a court lawyer. She has provided advice and representation for the Crown and for private clients in a wide range of criminal, civil and administrative matters over more than 30 years in practice.
Kristy began her career as a Crown prosecutor in Christchurch in 1980, was later appointed a Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office in Wellington, and moved to practice as an independent barrister in 1989. She was made a Queen’s Counsel in 1999. Kristy is a member of the Crown prosecution panel in Wellington and the Serious Fraud Office prosecution panel. She has prosecuted a number of significant criminal trials and has acted for the Police in a wide range of civil matters including representing Police in the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct in 2007.
Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College, Papakowhai Rd, Porirua, on Thursday 26 July at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Honourable Anne Tolley, 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
