PC stamps his mark on the Police College

It was one of those ‘had to be there’ moments.

In late August, Graham Cole, one of the longest serving actors in the UK TV cop show ‘The Bill’, walked unannounced into the classroom of a group of UK officers completing their CIB training at the Royal New Zealand Police College.

Graham shares a joke with real UK officers completing their

CIB training at the RNZPC.

At first the officers looked like they’d seen a ghost. Then they broke into clapping and cheering, the majority recognising him as the famous PC Stamp from the show they’d grown up watching.

Graham responded by saying: “You’ve come a long way to try and get away from me.”

SKY TV brought Graham to New Zealand and, while in Wellington, Police National Headquarters’ Public Affairs Group arranged a visit to the College for him.

An accomplished touring car driver who does all his own driving stunts on ‘The Bill’, Graham had a go on the skid track under the watchful eye of Senior Sergeant Barry Rippon, National Coordinator of the Police Professional Driver Programme.

Retired Sergeant Alan Richards (and former London Metropolitan police officer) then escorted Graham and his group through the College, taking in the District pou, the Memorial Wall and the Police Museum.

The College provided Graham with a range of gifts to commemorate his visit. He in turn signed T-shirts and autographs for many of his fans at the College.

Senior Sergeant Barry Rippon, right, and Sergeant Rob Ruwhiu

congratulate Graham on his accomplished efforts on the skid track.