Family and friends made moving tributes to their new constables as they watched the livestream of Wing 351’s attestation and graduation last week (Monday 28 February).
Posting their comments alongside the livestream, it’s clear they are “so proud” of the wing’s success. Although unable to attend the combined attestation and graduation ceremony, they could watch every moment and hear from each of the 76 graduates as they, in turn, gave moving tributes to family for their love and support throughout the training.
Constable Petaia Unoi, posted to Auckland City District, received the Leadership Award at the ceremony and gave this message of thanks to those at home, which includes his wife and two children in Auckland and family in Samoa: “We would not be standing here today without your love and support and the sacrifices you’ve made.
Throughout this journey you have encouraged, inspired and believed in us. We are so grateful for all you do.”
Petaia said that during their weeks of training, the wing had come together as one and are now whānau.
He passed on to his new whānau a saying from his mother: 'The way you stand, the way you walk, the way you talk and how you speak is how people will view you'.
“It reminds me,” he said, “of the responsibility we have as part of New Zealand Police – your actions will determine the outcome.”
Petaia says he spent his childhood living with his grandparents in Samoa, brought up in an environment surrounded by love, and that he’s taken their influence into all his career roles – as a nurse aid, in hospitality and most recently as a chef.
He says he always wanted to be a police officer and is excited to have the opportunity to serve his community. His sights are now firmly set on the next phase of his career, “where we put our training into practice”.
Many of his wingmates were part of the Police whānau before they joined the wing.
From left, Constables Mel Isaacs, Petaia Unoi and Summa Lewis.
For example, Constables Summa Lewis and Mel Isaacs have family members who are serving police officers.
Summa received the Minister’s Award at the ceremony for coming top of the wing. She was inspired to join Police after learning about the work of her mother, Detective Sergeant Lisa Anderson.
“When I was young being a police officer wasn’t something I wanted to do, but then I met a woman who completely changed my mind," says Summa.
“She had met my mum because of an accident and loss of a child. She talked about how the kindness and empathy shown by my mum helped her on the hardest day of her life.
“That has always stuck with me. Being a police officer isn’t just about arresting people; it’s about helping people, especially those experiencing some of their worst days.”
Summa says being a police officer became her dream, and that she feels incredibly lucky to be living out that dream right now. Summa is posted to Auckland City District.
Constable Mel Isaacs talks about a “role reversal” as part of her Police journey, as she has followed her daughter into the job. Her daughter graduated as a police officer last year.
“I mentioned to my cousin – a Police dispatcher – that I was so proud of my daughter joining Police, and glad she hadn’t left it too late like I had,” says Mel. “My cousin told me Police need people like me, and that gave me the final boost I needed to feel truly ready to apply.”
Having her daughter go through the process ahead of her has been useful, she says.
“She was able to give me some hints and tips to help me prepare for the training and for the challenges ahead on the front line.”
Mel’s career background is in change management and business improvement, and she says through working her way into leadership roles she discovered a passion for people.
“I thrive on building relationships, working with people and helping them to remove barriers to success.
“Being in Police gives me a true team-work environment where I can focus on and hone the skills I already have and challenge myself in every way.”
Mel is posted to Southern District.
From left, Constables Gina Cain, Juan-Pablo Espinel-Rincon and Chelsea Didham.
The policing and family connection is both near and far for Constable Juan-Pablo Espinel-Rincon. Near, because his father was a police officer, but far because his family is in Colombia and Brazil in South America.
His pepeha reminds us of the distance, as his maunga (mountain) is the Andes mountain range.
Known as Pablo, he says he grew up in a hard-working household where his father was a sergeant in the Colombian Police and his mother a lawyer helping victims of family harm.
“My parents were very good examples, and I always knew that I wanted to do something that had a positive meaning.”
He spent some time exploring the world and seven years ago decided to put down some roots in a safe place surrounded by nature – New Zealand.
“This was the right place for me, and I have not looked back.”
Pablo says he has a great passion for helping people: “I love the feeling of being there for someone and supporting people to be the best version of themselves.
“I’m excited to begin a career in New Zealand Police that I know will be incredibly challenging yet very fulfilling.”
Pablo is posted to Bay of Plenty District.
Joining Police requires persistence, and two people who are stronger for it are Constables Gina Cain and Chelsea Didham.
“The road to becoming a police officer wasn’t easy for me in the sense of having to overcome the physical barriers,” says Gina.
“I couldn’t even run 400 metres without losing my breath and it took three months of continuous effort to get to my first press-up!
“But I was determined, dedicated and motivated to get there – and here I am. This is something I have dreamed of as a child and I couldn’t feel better about my achievements.”
Gina is delighted that while she was at the Police College she passed her Physical Competency Test with a minute to spare.
Along with her fitness, Gina brings plenty of life experience to her new role, having travelled the world, worked overseas and raised children. She has been a primary school teacher, has helped run a business, and has worked in the voluntary sector supporting refugees and migrants, and more recently as a Victim Support worker.
Gina is posted to Canterbury District.
The hats go flying - Wing 351 is fully attested and graduated from Police College.
Chelsea says she’s had the privilege of working for Police for the past two years, in a non-constabulary file management role.
“The skills, knowledge and experiences gained from that time have been invaluable. It helped me gain an understanding of the community I am going to serve.”
But the road to Police College was anything but smooth, she says. “When I decided I wanted to be a police officer, I couldn’t even do a single press-up.”
With motivation from family and friends, help from a gym and hard work, she found her fitness levels grew to meet the Police fitness requirements and beyond.
Chelsea’s aspiration in Police is to help as many people within the community as possible; in fact that’s what she was doing when she first started thinking about joining Police.
“Part of the reason I’m a police officer today is thanks to Dunedin police dog handler Sergeant Mike Calvert.
“After I helped in a vehicle collision he told me I would make a great officer, and that set me on this journey.”
Chelsea is posted to Southern District, and has waited for three years for a space to come up in Dunedin.
“I love Dunedin and I’m excited to get stuck into policing there!”
There was thanks during the ceremony to Patron of the wing, Phillip Green - is a mediator, adjudicator, negotiator and barrister - for his support.
“Each of the graduates today ackowledges our Patron Phillip Green who has inspired us to succeed and be the best we can,” said Leadership Award winner Petaia.
“Thank you for your support throughout our journey. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to always check in on us.”
Elbow bumps to wing members from (left to right) Vivienne Ullrich (the patron's wife), Patron Phillip Green, Commissioner Andrew Coster and Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha.
Awards
Minister’s Award recognising top student – Constable Summa Lewis, Auckland City District
Patron’s Award for Second in Wing, recognising second top student – Constable Faris Petty, Central District
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Petaia Unoi, Auckland City District
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Jachim Tumu-Makara, Northland District
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable Holly Mackie, Eastern District
Firearms Award – Constable Benjamin Burdett, Wellington District
Deployment
The wing is being dispersed to districts as follows.
Northland – 3, Waitematā – 10, Auckland City – 16, Counties Manukau – 3, Waikato – 6, Bay of Plenty – 5, Eastern – 5, Central – 6, Wellington – 8, Tasman – 1, Canterbury – 8, Southern – 5
Wing demographics
Female 44.7%; male 55.3%; NZ European 68.4%; Māori 14.5%; Pacific 7.9%; Asian 6.6% and LAAM 2.6%.