The physical nature of Police work should be no trouble for the organisation’s newest recruits, with a range of sporting success among them at representative level.
A total of 60 new constables will parade at the Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday August 4, as part of Wing 298.
This includes national representatives in football, hockey, cycling and rugby. There is also a double All Black connection, with former player Glen Osborne graduating, while successful businessman and former All Blacks coach John Hart, ONZM, is the wing’s patron.
The graduating constables come from a diverse range of backgrounds, with qualifications in everything from mechanical engineering to beauty therapy. They hail from countries including Australia, Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
There’ll also be plenty of support from family members in the know, with nine recruits having family connections to other sworn Police officers. Four recruits have come from other roles in Police – Thomas Denman was a communicator at South Comms and Channel 2 operator; Jessy Raukawa and Michael Thom are Authorised Officers, and Georgina Weston has worked in firearms licensing.
Several recruits have been part of the Armed Forces. Damien Bath has been in the Royal NZ infantry regiment while Jason Kitchin and Robert Naysmith have been riflemen in the Army who were deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan respectively. Recruits Kitchin and Naysmith also assisted in relief efforts following the Christchurch Earthquake.
Alex Baddock served in the Royal NZ Infantry regiment for five years, and for the last two years worked as a tracking dog handler for the Army. In that role he also worked with the New Zealand Police, saying: “It gave me a good insight into their professionalism.”
As patron of the wing, John Hart has had an outstanding career in both business and sport. He spent 30 years with the Fletcher Challenge Group, the last 10 years as Employee Relations Director, and currently runs his own consulting business. John was appointed All Blacks coach in 1995 to lead the team into the professional era, coming after a successful career coaching Auckland and New Zealand development sides. He was awarded the ONZM in 1997, has published two best-selling books, and in 1997 was voted New Zealander of the Year by the National Business Review.
Awards to be presented on Thursday are:
• The Minister’s Award for First in Wing is awarded to Constable Thomas Denman. This award recognises the top student after the collation of all course assessments.
• The Prevention Award (for demonstration of operational skills and prevention practices) is also awarded to Constable Thomas Denman. He will be posted to Canterbury District.
• The Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills) is awarded to Constable Simon Middleton, posted to Central District.
• The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing is awarded to Constable Michael Thom – posted to Tasman District.
• The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership (in recognition of outstanding potential to lead self and others) is awarded to Constable Nikki Furmage, posted to Waikato District.
The Attestation Parade will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday August 4, at 2pm.
The ceremony will be attended by Commissioner Mike Bush MNZM, Mayor of Porirua Nick Leggett and New Zealand Police Association President Greg O’Connor, and MP Kris Fa’afoi, along with other members of the Police Executive.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Media wanting to attend Thursday’s attestation are asked to contact Media Advisor Philippa Ormrod 021 819 839 / philippa.ormrod@police.govt.nz and arrive no later than 1.30pm.