Thirty-eight new constables will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College in Wing 276 on Thursday. Their wing patron is retired Chief Superintendent Maurie Cummings.
Wing 276 constables are the first to graduate with iPhones and iPads as part of their toolkit. The new constables join 6,086 of their frontline colleagues who are currently receiving the technology.
Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says the smartphones and tablets will ensure these new constables will have mobile access to job-critical information where and when they need it.
"These devices have proved to be an absolute godsend to frontline police and it's wonderful to see them becoming part of our officers' kit from day one. They mean improved and speedier decision-making in dealing with offenders, victims and law-abiding citizens and they also improve officers' own safety," says Commissioner Marshall.
Talented team player
Constable Mefiposeta Taele has stood out as a great team member and will be awarded the section achievement prize for section two. This award acknowledges an individual 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.
Constable Taele is no stranger to the benefits of great team work, having played professional rugby in France (Montpellier) for 10 years before joining police. The talented team player also brings his language skills to the frontline, speaking French, Samoan and Niuean.
Also graduating is Constable Andrea O’Fee, daughter of retired Superintendent Grant O’Fee and now Tongan Police Commissioner. O’Fee, previously in charge of the New Zealand Police operation for the Rugby World Cup, began his three-year term as Police Commissioner to Tonga in July 2012.
Members of Wing 276 have been posted to stations throughout the North Island.
Auckland City - Auckland FTU (9)
Bay of Plenty - Tauranga (1), Whakatane (1)
Central - Taumarunui (1), Levin (1)
Counties Manukau - Auckland FTU (5)
Eastern - Gisborne (2)
Northland - Kaitaia (2)
Waikato - Hamilton (1)
Waitematä - Auckland FTU (7)
Wellington - Masterton (1), Wellington TAG (7)
Wing 276 award winners:
Minister’s Award for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Yutaro Kanai, posted to Auckland City. Constable Kanai was also awarded the Tactical Skills and Safety Award (overall winner in Defensive Tactics, Firearms and Driving) and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award (top student in all Defensive Tactics assessments).
Commissioner’s Award for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Amy Flower, posted to Waitematä. Constable Flower was also awarded the Information Technology Skills Award (overall winner in Computer Skills and Skills Files).
Patron’s Award for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable David Nichols, posted to Wellington District.
The Prevention Award (for the overall winner of Practical Assessments and Fingerprinting) was awarded to Constable Joseph Le Fleming Burrow, posted to Auckland City.
The Academic Award (for the overall winner of Academic Exams 1, 2 and 3) was awarded to Constable Samuel Hutcheson, posted to Waitematä. Constable Hutcheson was also awarded the Weapon Training Award (for the top student in all Firearms assessments).
The Driver Training Award (for the top student in all Driver Training assessments) was awarded to Constable Stefan Osborne, posted to Wellington District.
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 Richard Glennie, posted to Wellington
Section Two - Constable Mefiposeta Taele, posted to Tauranga
Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 30 May at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be attended the Honourable Anne Tolley, Minister of Police, and Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.
Photos: Commissioner Peter Marshall and the first wing to graduate with iPhones and iPads.
Ends
Released by:
Penny Clevely
Communications Manager: RNZPC/ TSC
Tel: 04 238 3572
Mobile: 021 326 922 or 022 365 6001
Email: penelope.clevely@police.govt.nz
