They worked hard, overcame challenges and showed dedication and commitment – and that was before they even started training.
The 42 new constables of Recruit Wing 399 are now at work in their districts after celebrating their graduation from initial training at the Royal New Zealand Police College on 3 September.
On the dais were dignitaries including Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett, representing Commissioner Richard Chambers, other senior Police staff, and Wing Patron Mark Robinson, Chair of the Woolf Fisher Trust.
Patron Mark thanked the college staff for their work and reminded the wing of their conversations.
“When we first met we spoke about attitude, we spoke about community, we spoke about adversity and not allowing it to define who you are.
“Each one of you has faced your own challenges to get here today but you’ve made it through. . . When things get tough out there in the future – and they will – remember that you made it through.”
Wing members included those with family links to policing at home or overseas, experience working for Police and other service organisations, sporting and cultural achievements, great records of volunteering and more.
Some brought truly amazing life experiences. Constable Luis Fidalgo Parigot (Auckland City), for example, who was diagnosed with blood cancer while undertaking mandatory military service in his native Brazil in 2010.
By the time he graduated from the eight-month officers course, he was clear.
“I did my training during the week and had my chemotherapy at the weekends. Busy mind, busy body – I was cured in six months, before I graduated.”
After military service he returned to his law degree. He worked as a criminal judge intern then practised as a lawyer. He decided to join Police after coming to New Zealand for further study, and finding he loved Kiwi culture.
“It was always my passion to help people,” he says. “Police in South America have a different approach so I didn’t choose that path back home.
“I saw how good Police are here, with community values, a community approach and community engagement. People are not afraid of you. I thought I can help people.”
Talking of Kiwi culture, Luis played rugby in Brazil and sees parallels with policing: “I always wanted to be in the front row, finding the balance, everybody supporting everybody in what we were facing and thinking ‘How can we overcome the challenge ahead of us?’”
Constable Chloe Wallace (Counties Manukau) lost half her right index finger in a childhood accident, and later an infection led to amputation of the whole finger. Some aspects of training became a particular challenge.
“The hardest thing was Taser and firearms because it’s my trigger finger that’s missing,” she says.
The key was perseverance - and a lot of extra work - after she failed to reach the firearms standard first time. “It was lots of practice, lots of talking to the coaches and spending lots of time on it.
“Everyone teaches in a different way - if I wasn’t coping well I could talk to another coach and get different ideas. I listened to what each of the coaches had to say until I found something that helped.”
Chloe had a stop-start entry process, being stood down on her first attempt, then facing extra scrutiny because of her hand injury.
“I always wanted to join Police since I was at school but never thought I would get the physical fitness side.
“The application process has been long and hard but it is so rewarding. I really wanted this job.”
There was a different sort of challenge for Constable Boston Smith (Counties Manukau), who cycled from London to Singapore. Just because.
“In 2023 I left school and worked for a bit,” he says. “I wanted to travel the world and thought a good way to do it would be by bicycle. It would be slower, you’d meet more people and it’s environmentally friendly.”
Boston and his brother Fletcher flew to Britain and set off. Over the next year-and-a-half – including Boston’s 19th birthday - they cycled through 33 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
“The people we met were amazing. A lot of people had nothing but they were so kind to us. The big thing I took from the trip was that the world’s not perfect but there are good people everywhere.”
He applied to join Police on returning. “On the trip a lot of people helped me and this is my way of giving back.”
Constable Kaeden Torstonson (Waikato), Second in Wing and recipient of the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award, has a family link to Police in the form of his uncle Detective Stephen Green, Hamilton.
“I wanted a career where I could finish the day and know I’ve actually made a difference,” he says.
“Police really appealed to me because no two days are going to be the same – you never know what the next job is going to be.
“You’re constantly challenged. You get the opportunity to be helping people when they’re possibly having the worst day of their entire life.”
Making the customary Leadership Award winner's speech, Constable Jonathan Scott (Counties Manukau) spoke of the wing's diversity and willingness to help each other.
"When we arrived at the Police college we all stood on the same start line, but we didn’t arrive there from the same place," he said.
"We came from different backgrounds, different careers, different cultures and different stages of life. Some arrived straight from school; others brought years of experience from their careers and lives already lived.
"Each brought their own strengths and their own weaknesses. And I think that's what makes Wing 399 special."
More about Wing 399
Demographics
17% (7) of the graduates were female, and 83% (35) male. They identified as Pakeha - 79% (33), Māori 2% (1), Pasifika 2% (1), Asian 14% (6), LAAM 2% (1).
The youngest member was 18, and the oldest 48.
Deployment
The graduates are deployed as follows:
Northland - 3, Waitematā - 5, Auckland City - 7, Counties Manukau - 7, Waikato - 2, Eastern - 2, Central - 5, Wellington - 8, Canterbury - 3.
They reported for duty in their districts on Monday 14 September.
The Patron
Mark Robinson is well known to many Police staff through his role with the Woolf Fisher Trust, which has provided travel and study Fellowships for more than 100 of our colleagues.
Mark had extensive business experience within New Zealand’s appliance retail sector. In 1997 he co-founded Avery Robinson Ltd, which became the exclusive distributor of Dyson Appliances in New Zealand. He led the business for 21 years, guiding its growth and market presence until winding up the business in 2018.
Mark believes success carries a moral obligation and responsibility to give back. In 2010 he began serving in charitable governance roles, including on the Board of Trustees at a primary school.
His governance experience fostered a deep commitment to education and improving outcomes for students and communities.
In 2015 Mark joined the board of the Woolf Fisher Trust, an organisation that recognises education excellence and funds overseas travel fellowships for outstanding secondary teachers and principals.
In 2016 the Trust expanded its vision, establishing the Woolf Fisher Police Fellowship, supporting members of New Zealand Police to undertake international study and exchange innovative policing practices.
Mark was elected Deputy Chair of the Woolf Fisher Trust in 2019 and, in 2023, became Chair of both the Woolf Fisher Trust and the Sir Woolf Fisher Charitable Trust, providing strategic leadership across the organisations.
In 2020 Mark joined the Board of Trustees of the Waka Pacific Trust, owner and operator of Due Drop Events Centre, Wero Whitewater Park, and Wero Climb.
Now semi-retired, Mark is a private investor who dedicates much of his time to charitable trusts and community organisations. He and his wife of 27 years have two daughters, and he continues to balance his governance commitments with family life.