Barfoot & Thompson Stadium in Auckland was filled with pride, applause and a few happy tears as 34 recruits from Wing 397 graduated to join the policing frontline in the north.
This was the second wing to graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College Auckland Campus, and the ceremony on Friday 26 June marked another important milestone in Police's commitment to growing a workforce that reflects and serves its communities.
Family, friends, Police staff and dignitaries including Patron Rod Bell gathered to celebrate the graduates' achievement after 20 weeks of training, learning and personal growth.
Inspector Andrew Fabish, Initial Training Manager, reminded graduates that graduation day represented more than the end of their training. "This is your first promotion," he told them, encouraging the new constables to recognise and celebrate what they had achieved.
Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, who first met the recruits on day one of their training, spoke warmly about their journey. "We can see what today means to you too," she said, acknowledging the families and supporters in the crowd.
Addressing the graduates, Jill described them as 'the real deal' and said it had been a pleasure watching their development over the course of the programme. "They have truly impressed me."
Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello reflected on her own Police graduation 40 years ago, telling recruits they had joined a new family.
Many of the friendships she formed during her own recruit training remain strong today, she said. While much has changed over four decades, the common thread remains one of service. "There is a common ethos between my wing and the wings of today," she said. "You step forward when others step back."
Wing Patron Rod Bell, affectionately known by the recruits as 'Rod Belt', spoke about the courage, commitment and respect he had seen in Wing 397, qualities that reminded him of his own wing some four decades earlier.
His nickname came from a memorable first day of training when he forgot to wear his belt and spent the day standing with his hands in his pockets.
Behind the humour was an important message. Rod encouraged graduates to remember why they began the journey, the victims they would help, and the importance of looking after both their families and colleagues throughout their careers.
Constable Charlotte Randall (Northland), who topped the wing and received the Minister's Award, said her motivation for joining Police came from a desire to help people, continue growing and find a career with purpose. "My mother has always been my inspiration to work hard and break barriers," she said.
She spoke highly of the camaraderie within Wing 397, describing the wing as a close-knit group that formed lasting friendships throughout training.
She chose the Auckland Campus because it allowed her to remain close to family while benefiting from the smaller wing size and modern facilities.
She is looking forward to frontline policing and exploring the many opportunities available throughout her career, with specialist squads and CIB among her future interests.
Constable Joshua Edwards (Auckland City), graduated second overall and received the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award. Originally from the UK, he explored a number of careers before picking policing as the first that offered him a genuine sense of purpose.
He said the opportunity to train in Auckland, supported throughout by his partner, enabled him to stay connected with family and friends while undertaking the demanding programme. He said the strongest memories would be of the people.
"Being in a room full of people who share the same values and excitement for the job isn't an environment I've ever been in before."
Joshua brings an interesting sporting background to Police. While at college in England, he earned a football scholarship to study in the United States and later wrote an eBook designed to help aspiring athletes pursue overseas opportunities without relying on expensive recruitment agencies.
The experience taught him the value of stepping outside his comfort zone; a lesson he believes applies equally to recruit training.
"Everyone who takes on the challenge of joining Police should know it will force them out of their comfort zone, but ultimately you will come out the other end a bigger and better person."
For Constable Arthur Vidal (Counties Manukau), the journey to graduation began on the other side of the world. Born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, Arthur spent more than 14 years building a successful career as a professional chef before moving to New Zealand in search of new opportunities.
Starting over in a new country came with challenges, but Arthur says those experiences taught him resilience, patience and adaptability. After building a life in New Zealand, he felt drawn toward a career where he could continue serving others in a more direct way.
"Joining Police feels like a way to give back and contribute to the community that welcomed me and my family."
A lifelong sportsman, swimmer, runner and martial artist, Arthur credits sport with teaching him discipline, perseverance and the importance of continual improvement.
Those lessons helped carry him through policing training, which he describes as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
For now, he is focused on becoming the best frontline constable he can be and earning the trust of the communities he serves.
Wing 397's graduates arrived in their districts with diverse backgrounds, experiences and aspirations, united by a desire to help others. They began their policing careers supported by proud families, inspired by strong role models and strengthened by the friendships forged over 20 demanding weeks together.
For Auckland Campus, Wing 397's graduation represents another successful chapter in a growing story.
For the 34 new constables who took the oath, it is just the beginning.
More about Wing 397
Awards
Minister's Award for First in Wing - Constable Charlotte Randall (Northland)
Patron's award for Second in Wing, and Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award- Constable Joshua Edwards (Auckland City)
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award - Constable Caleb Harty (Waitematā)
Firearms Award - Constable Ethan Rollitt (Waitematā)
Demographics
The membership of Wing 397 was 26.5% female and 73.5% male.
Members identified as follows: NZ European 76.5%; Pasifika 5.9%; Asian 5.9%; Other 5.9%.
The members were aged between 19 and 42 years old.
Deployment
Wing members were deployed as follows:
Northland - 3; Waitematā - 12; Auckland City - 11; Counties Manukau - 8.
They reported for duty in their districts on Monday 6 July.
The Patron
Rod Bell ONZM is a former New Zealand Police officer and long-standing youth advocate. A past CEO of Blue Light, Rod is currently Blue Light’s Operations Manager.
Rod joined New Zealand Police in 1983 as a member of Wing 87. After graduation he worked on the frontline in Auckland Central and Takapuna, later moving into the Criminal Investigation Unit. In 1989 he was appointed Officer in Charge at Wellsford Police Station, leading a small team and covering communities including Mangawhai and surrounding districts.
Returning to Auckland in the mid-1990s, Rod held a range of leadership roles from section sergeant to sergeant in charge of Team Policing and Youth Services. He retired from Police in 2001 after developing and overseeing the Crime Control Unit.
Alongside his policing career, Rod built a business that grew from a hobby into a company with 35 staff before being sold in 2005. He went on to establish, grow and later sell two further businesses. During this period, Rod also became the inaugural CEO of Blue Light National, serving in a voluntary capacity until 2012 and helping lay the foundations for the organisation’s national growth.
In 2014, Rod was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to youth and the Police. At the end of 2023, he stepped down as CEO of Blue Light after expanding the organisation to more than 120 staff and supporting the establishment of the Blue Light Foundation to help fund the work of Blue Light’s 75 branches across New Zealand. Along with his Operations Manager role, he is currently a Trustee of the Blue Light Foundation.
Rod lives in Karaka with his partner Wendy and stepson and is a proud father of two daughters and a very proud grandad of two grandchildren.