Thirty six new constables will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) in Wing 290 tomorrow, Thursday 28 May, and their wing patron is 2007 New Zealander of the Year, Louise Nicholas.
Ms Nicholas works with police providing victims of sexual assault with knowledge and support. She's been very involved with the wing, joining recruits at the Cuba Street Carnival, and attending their driving and firearms training, which she described as "awesome".
"Being invited to be wing patron has been one of the proudest moments of my life, said Ms Nicholas. The highlights of the last few months have been getting to know these amazing recruits, seeing them grow and become the capable police officers I see them as today," she said.
Wing 290 graduating constables started out an even split of men and women. This is the second time this has ever occurred, with the first being in 1992 - Wing 130.
Serious study pays off:
May is a good month for Constable Shaun Murphy who has just this month graduated with a law degree and now graduates from the RNZPC as first in the wing. Not only does Constable Murphy win the Minister’s Award for First in Wing he also wins the Prevention Award. Constable Murphy is posted to Bay of Plenty.
"It's an immense honour to win first in wing. I look forward to getting out on the street and putting what I've learnt at college into practice. Policing is about doing something that allows you to go home at the end of every shift, content that you have done your part to make New Zealand a safer place," he says.
Hard at work volunteering:
Several of our graduating constables have spent time volunteering in areas such as Victim Support, local fire brigades, community patrols, Ronald McDonald House and even surf life-saving. The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing is awarded to Constable Cameron Sweetman, posted to Counties Manukau who has been a volunteer surf-life-saver. Constable Sweetman also wins the Commissioner’s Award for Leadership.
"I believe the role of a volunteer life-saver and police officer has many similarities. Members of our community deserve to feel safe, whether they're playing in the waters surrounding our country or they're out and about in their neighbourhood. I hope to take some of my experience as a life-saver and put it into practice in my new role within the community as a police officer," says Constable Sweetman
Constable Liam Haven, posted to Waitemata not only wins the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics award but the Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills). "For me, it's about making my family proud, making sure myself and my colleagues continue to serve as the best possible role models not only for our own children and families but for those in our communities and New Zealand as a whole," he says.
Special Forces at work:
A number of recruits including Constables Sweetman and Murphy have served in the New Zealand Army including wing-mate Constable Sean McGillivray who not only served in the New Zealand Army but during his career deployed to Afghanistan, passed Special Forces selection and served as a Commando.
"The key lesson I learnt in Afghanistan is that in order to effectively protect a community you are trying to serve, whether overseas or in your own country, you need to make every effort to understand differing cultures and religions. If you lose the trust of the people you're trying to protect you will not be able to do your job."
Broad range of backgrounds:
Constable Terri-Anne Paea a high achiever too, was awarded three Pacific Island and Maori Academic Excellence Awards and Pasifika Student Leader role while at Auckland University of Technology.
"For me it's all about starting a legacy for my family and friends to pick up and run with wherever their paths lead them." "I can't decide between working with youth and striving for the CIB. But as long as I am able to make a positive influence on the community, I will be more than content in any role I am placed in," she says.
Wing 290 recruits have come to the Police College from all over New Zealand, some even from the UK, South Africa and China. They join New Zealand Police with a broad range of backgrounds and life achievements.
Some have degrees in Bio-medicine; Psychology; Sport & Recreation; Criminology & Conflict Resolution and Applied Science. And some have Post-grad Diplomas such as Pharmacology; Diploma of Therapeutic Massage and a Diploma of Health Science to name a few.
Several have represented their district in Women’s Rugby and Men's Rugby, touch rugby and even coaching rugby, while some have represented New Zealand at World Surf Rowing and figure-skating.
Wing 290 award winners:
• The Minister’s Award for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Shaun Murphy, posted to Bay of Plenty. This award recognises the top student after the collation of all course assessments.
• The Prevention Award (for demonstration of operational skills and prevention practices) was awarded to Constable Shaun Murphy also.
• The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Cameron Sweetman, posted to Counties Manukau. This award recognises the second top student after the collation of all course assessments.
• The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership (in recognition of outstanding potential to lead self and others) was also awarded to Constable Cameron Sweetman.
• The Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills) was awarded to Constable Liam Haven, posted to Waitemata.
Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 28 May at 2.00pm. The ceremony will be attended by The Minister of Police, the Hon Michael Woodhouse, Police Commissioner Mike Bush and wing patron Louise Nicholas, along with members of the police executive.
ENDS
Media intending to be present at the graduation should plan to be onsite by 1.30pm.
Please direct all enquiries or intentions to attend to: Jillian Reid 021 947 003