Thirty-eight new constables will complete their studies at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) tomorrow, Thursday 18 February 2016, as they hold their Attestation Parade.
The graduating constables hail from many different countries including Samoa, Wales, Philippines, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, Scotland, and Fiji.
The patron for the wing is Dr Anwar Ghani. He is a distinguished professional in the field of environmental science and agriculture, and over the last 20 years he has dedicated himself in a voluntary capacity to representing the New Zealand Muslim community nationally and internationally.
Dr Ghani became a Justice of the Peace in 1996 and in 2004 he received a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his voluntary services to the community.
Dr Ghani has been a member of the New Zealand Police’s Ethnic Advisory Board since November 2014 and is also a former President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.
First to complete Career Foundation Initial Training programme
Wing 294 marks the first recruit wing to complete the Royal New Zealand Police College phase of the updated Career Foundation Initial Training Programme.
The recruit programme has been updated over the years with new material and training techniques, however the new Career Foundation Initial Training programme changes the structure of how training is delivered.
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 work place assessments, and the final phase being a two week graduation course again at The Royal New Zealand Police College.
“The new programme aims to take a more holistic and operational approach to developing a potential Police Constable,” says Inspector Sean McManus, Head of School: Initial Training. “It will be focussed on preparing applicants for the realities of the complex operational environment, which is continuously changing with the way we police New Zealand.”
“We are very excited about the new training programme and are seeing excellent results not just with these recruits – who are now constables – but with other recruits who have started since.”
“This programme allows us to continue developing well-equipped and competent constables who are ready to work within the communities we serve.”
Community involvement key for new recruits
New constables from Wing 294 are looking forward to working within their communities and making a difference with the people they work with.
Constable Victoria Fawcett, who was born in Montreal and speaks fluent French, has volunteered a lot throughout her life. Constable Fawcett has been a St John volunteer ambulance officer, a mentor for Project K (a youth development programme), and has coached at local pony clubs.
“This love of the community and involvement with people is one of the key things that drew me towards a career within the NZ Police,” says Constable Fawcett. “To continue helping the community, especially when they need it the most, is something that is really important to me.”
“Additionally I feel that the core values of the NZ Police strongly reflect my own values, and I love that every day will present me with new and unique challenges.”
Constable Samir Khan also has had a strong calling to a career in New Zealand Police. While he has just completed a business degree, Constable Khan knew policing was for him after seeing how police interacted with people he knew in their time of need.
“It was a pleasure meeting a number of officers who were extremely helpful and dealt with the situation with a lot of empathy and professionalism,” says Constable Khan. “It was their actions that showed me how rewarding and fulfilling a role in Police would be.”
“I would also like to be a voice for my culture as a Fiji Indian and most importantly a Muslim. I would like to continue the work of police in representing and working closely with the Muslim community, similar to the work Dr Anwar Ghani has done through his life.”
Wing 294 award winners:
- The Minister’s Award for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Victoria Bartley, posted to Wellington.
- The Patron’s Award for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable John Lyon, posted to Wellington.
- The Commissioner’s Award for Leadership in recognition of outstanding potential to lead self and others) goes to Constable Lewis Waite, posted to Auckland City.
- The Prevention Award (for demonstration of operational skills and prevention practices) was also awarded to Constable Lauren Jones, posted to Auckland City.
- The Response Award (for demonstration of safe practices and tactical skills) was awarded to Constable Lewis Waite.
The Attestation Parade will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 18 February at 2.00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Police, the Hon Judith Collins, and Acting Police Commissioner Glenn Dunbier, 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: Nic Barkley, PNHQ Public Affairs, on 021 192 2813 or Nicholas.barkley@police.govt.nz
*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.