Four decades ago the Police College’s Royal connection reached a new level, an enduring memorial was unveiled and a graduation parade had more than the usual pomp and ceremony.
On 27 February 1986 Queen Elizabeth II visited the then-New Zealand Police College, the flagship of celebrations of Police’s Centennial. Forty years later to the day, the visit was honoured, as were some of those who ensured its success.
Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park led a parade where she reflected on this defining moment in New Zealand Police history.
“In 1986, during our Police Centennial year, the late Queen Elizabeth II opened the New Zealand Police Memorial Wall and conferred the title ‘Royal’ on this Police College.
“The Royal designation – now 40 years in place – represents a high standard of professionalism, service and pride that each of you upholds.”
The parade of recruits, course members and special guests filled the RNZPC firearms range.
Guests at the parade and a later event near the Memorial Wall included retired Superintendent Earle Cooper, who led the 1986 celebrations, and retired Chief Inspector Sherwood Young MBE, who provided televised commentary of the visit.
Also honoured were retired Senior Constable Barry Thomson QSM, Police Museum curator and creator of the New Zealand Police Memorial Wall, and Emeritus Professor Richard Hill, who authored the first three volumes of New Zealand Police history.
Former Commissioner Ken Thompson, who died in December 2025, was acknowledged for supporting the Centennial, approving funding for the Memorial and hosting the Queen’s visit.
Jeanette spoke of another upcoming anniversary – 140 years since the establishment of New Zealand Police, on 1 September 1886.
“In that time, policing in Aotearoa has grown, adapted and matured from a ‘force’ to a service grounded in partnership with our communities.
“In our first 100 years, New Zealand Police trained 100 recruit wings. In the 40 years since the Royal designation, we have trained more than 293 wings, reflecting the scale, diversity and professionalism of today’s organisation.”
Then and now - inspection of parades by the Queen in 1986 and Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park in 2026.
A Memorial Wall commemoration and wreath laying followed. Gratitude was expressed for those who brought the memorial into being, especially Barry Thomson whose vision and skill created a central place to honour fallen colleagues.
“Barry, you recognised before many others that New Zealand Police needed a physical place of remembrance – somewhere tangible, somewhere meaningful,” said Jeanette.
“It stands as a tribute to the bravery of our slain officers, but it is also part of your legacy – one of care, honour, and deep commitment to our people.”
Sherwood Young spent the 1986 visit in a broadcasting van with TV personality Bob Parker, watching events on a screen and providing commentary for viewers as the Queen toured the Police College complex.
“Forty years seems like a long time but the events of 27 February 1986 remain vivid,” he said.
“As a lasting legacy of her visit she declared the College to be Royal, meaning that day would never be forgotten.
“She inspected and addressed the graduating recruits of Wing 100, the Centennial Wing. She was able to appreciate the diversity of our service by witnessing the many displays, which were to travel around our country afterwards.
“She formally opened the Police Museum, refreshed in a new format in the renamed Memorial Building.
“But her most enduring legacy was to unveil the Police Memorial Wall, which has since grown hugely in significance.”
The anniversary gave retired staff the opportunity to reconnect and share memories of a time when the college captured national and global attention.
Old memories recalled, new memories made – another occasion fit for a Queen (or King) at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
