Intermediate School Children Spend Weekend at NZ Police College

A group of teens from Hawkes Bay were named National Champions in the 13th Annual Blue Light PCT competition held at the New Zealand Police College in Wellington, November 14 - 16. Competing against 27 other teams from around New Zealand they beat stiff competition in a range of challenges both physical and mental including the Police Competency Test (PCT), used to train new police recruits, as well as finger printing challenges giving them a taste of CSI.

“The Blue Light PCT competition is a real challenge for young people and the National final held at the Police Training College provides an amazing opportunity for young people to stay at the college and experience life as a Police person for the weekend”, said Warren Sloss, Blue Light Programs Manager. “The National Final also provides an important opportunity for the Police College to connect back into the community and for Police recruits to interact with young people”.

The Blue Light PCT competition is aimed at year 7 and 8 students and starts with regional events throughout New Zealand run by local Blue Light branches in partnership with community Police Officers. Teams are made up of two girls and two boys and top teams from each region travel to Wellington to stay at the NZ Police College and compete to be crowned Blue Light PCT Champions.

Teams compete in five events. The main event is the Police Competency Test (PCT), finger printing (giving students a taste of CSI), a swim challenge, mental problem solving exercises as well as a police car push.

2014 winners were:
1st Hastings Team 1
2nd Hamilton
3rd North Canterbury

Blue Light has a strong vision of Empowering Young people by providing opportunities for positive youth and police interactions. Blue Light runs programs, events and activities free from alcohol and drugs and aims to reduce the incidence of young people being an offender or victim of crime.

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