Thirty-eight new constables will complete their studies at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC), Thursday 24 March 2016, as they hold their Attestation Parade.
The constables hail from many different countries including England, USA, South Korea, China, Fiji, Scotland and of course New Zealand.
The patron for the wing is Catriona Williams, MNZM. In her competitive equestrian career she achieved accolades in New Zealand and overseas. Catriona competed at both Grand Prix level Show-jumping and Advanced level Eventing, a rare feat also achieved by the likes of Olympians Mark Todd, Blyth Tait and Vaughn Jefferies. Catriona's passion for horses has continued despite a shattering fall in November 2002 when she was competing at an event in the North Island. The spinal cord injuries she received left her a C6-7 tetraplegic.
Catriona runs Little Avondale thoroughbred stud in Masterton with her husband Sam. She also commits a great deal of her time to The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust. In 2014 Catriona was a finalist in the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. She was inducted into the NRM NZ Horse of the Year Show Hall of Fame and was presented with one of the country’s honours, an Order of New Zealand (MNZM) for services to spinal cord injury research.
Recruit deployment
As part of the recruit deployment programme, the 295 wing assisted Wellington District at the Wellington Cup at Trentham and the International One-Day Cricket game, New Zealand vs Australia, at the Wellington Stadium. They all also participated in 'The Living Classroom', where two recruits are accompanied by an instructor and put their training into practice. For the Living Classroom, one of the recruit sections went to Palmerston North to support Police during Massey University’s Orientation Week, and were in the right spot to assist with the arrest of a drunk driver who had been breaking into cars.
Second wing to complete Career Foundation Initial Training programme
Wing 295 marks the second recruit wing to complete the Royal New Zealand Police College phase of the updated Career Foundation Initial Training Programme.
The programme is now completed in four phases; the first being a distance learning component, the second involving the residential phase at the Royal New Zealand Police College, the third involving workplace assessments, and the final phase being a two-week graduation course again at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
Community involvement is key for new recruits
These new constables are looking forward to working within their communities and making a difference for the people they work with.
Constables Carl Righton and Tessa Bassett have a passion for surf lifesaving. “Surf lifesaving gave me a taste of what it was like to be able to prevent dangerous situations from happening and I would like to further that through the Police,” says Constable Bassett.
Constable Thomas Driver has been a hockey coach. “This involvement in community and a desire to work with people is one of the key things that drew me towards a career within the NZ Police,” he says. Donovan Douglas is a volunteer for a religious organisation while Constable Paul Maddison has been a volunteer fire fighter. “To continue helping the community, especially when they need it the most, is something that is really important to me,” says Constable Maddison.
Recruits with interesting backgrounds
Constable Nicholas Fleming has a Bachelor of Sport & Recreation, loves to surf and spent time in America working on the Mississippi River as a kayak guide. He has also worked as a secondary teacher. “For me the most important thing in this world is people. I loved helping people in trouble in the surf or people in trouble while guiding in white water. I loved making the right decisions at the right time,” says Constable Fleming.
Constable Joe Kim was born and bred in South Korea and immigrated to New Zealand in 1998. He was proud to get his New Zealand citizenship in 2007. He’s an active member of The New Zealand Army Reserve Force and has been involved in mentoring youth at risk in a joint programme between Gisborne Police, New Zealand Fire Service and the New Zealand Army. “It is one of my greatest achievements having had input into this programme and in turn seeing the positive influence it's had on our youth at risk. I believe that investment in youth education now is integral to policing as a crime prevention tool and promotes a positive younger generation who will shape the future,” he says.
Constable Ricci Hayward had a life-long dream to be a helicopter pilot, but also to join the Police. He spent seven years flying in Motueka, Fox Glacier and even Cambodia. “I like doing things well and I like doing what’s right. I love to be part of an organisation that is here to benefit the country for future generations to come.”
Wing 295 award winners
The Minister’s Award for First in Wing and the Prevention Award (for demonstration of operational skills and prevention practices) were awarded to Constable Andre Graham, posted to Auckland City District. He has a BA/LLB and has been admitted to the Bar. Constable Graham has worked in the financial services industry and more recently has worked in the Northern Comms Centre as a *555 Communicator. He is looking forward to variety and interesting work experiences. “I’m hoping to move into the Police Prosecution Service after working frontline as I have an interest in the legal aspects of policing,” he says.
The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing and the Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills) were awarded to Constable Carl Righton, posted to Canterbury District. He was an Operations Manager before joining Police. Surf lifesaving is his true passion, and he has been doing voluntary patrols at Waimairi for the past 13 years. He’s coached surf canoe teams to national titles and has won 13 national gold medals in the long and short course Surf Canoe since 2005. He has also been nominated for four Canterbury Sports Team of the Year Awards. “The reason I joined the Police was because I have always looked up to and respected police officers and I think it is an incredibly honest and noble profession. I like the excitement and challenges that the job offers and the fact that every day is something different.”
The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership in recognition of outstanding potential to lead self and others) goes to Constable Ricci Hayward, posted to Tasman District.
The Attestation Parade will take place at the Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 24 March at 2.00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Police, the Hon Judith Collins, and Commissioner Mike Bush along with distinguished guests and 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@police.govt.nz PNHQ, Public 021 947 003
*Media note: These events are now no longer called Graduation.
With the introduction of the new training programme, when recruits leave the Royal New Zealand Police College they do so in an Attestation Parade.