Seventy eight new constables will join their friends and family in celebrating their graduation at The Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) this week.

Commissioner Mike Bush, other members of the Police Executive, Hon Stuart Nash and wing patron Carolyn Tremain will be present at the ceremony on Thursday 18 October.

Ms Tremain brought over 20 years of leadership experience to her mentorship of Wing 319.

She is currently Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and has lead a number of large organisations in the last two decades, including Inland Revenue, NZ Customs and Air New Zealand Group.

Aged between 18 and 46, Wing 319 begun their studies at RNZPC in July and come from varied backgrounds.

This isn’t the first time one of Waitematā’s new constables has worn a uniform - Alexis Gray was a chef in Royal NZ Navy for nine years, qualified in both cookery and personal training.

Among other awards, Alexis has received several decorations from the Crown (GSM, QSM, CN Commendation) and was involved in a significant drug bust off the African Coast in 2015 where she was the only female on board.

The same year she was awarded Sailor of the Year.

Alexis was also a Recruit Instructor in the Navy and for the Defence Force joint officer induction training.

She says she didn’t want to stop serving in the services so decided Police was the next challenge for her.

“I’ve always been curious about what goes on in our country and I want to do my bit to make a difference.”

“Since day one of Police College we have been welcomed with open arms - the culture is very positive.

“My advice to anyone who has ever considered joining the police is you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

If you are motivated and driven this is the job for you.

I have been inspired and encouraged everyday by the staff and my peers, once you join the police you will never be alone again.”

Nick Prendergast, also off to Waitematā district, has been no stranger to frontline action, jumping into the water to save a man while he was on SCOPE.

SCOPE is the chance for people going through the recruitment process to experience policing first hand where they go out on four shifts with a police officer.

Kristina O’Connor will be deployed to Wellington district, where she has worked since 2014 at Central Communications Centre - initially as a 111 call taker before becoming a dispatcher.

During her time there she also completed a Batchelor of Arts degree at Victoria University of Wellington.

Kristina enjoys playing Gaelic football in her spare time and has played for the NZ Police Hockey team for a number of years.

Prior to working for Police, Kristina spent time volunteering overseas both as a volunteer primary school teacher in Fiji for 8 months in 2013 and working for a homeless people’s organisation in Ireland for a year.

Kristina spoke of her time at RNZPC as challenging, surprising and eye opening.

“It’s 100% worth it - one of the most rewarding rides of my life.

"My advice to those wanting to join is to gain well rounded life experience in your journey to becoming a police officer.

No experience is wasted experience.

All paths leading to RNZPC are individual but once here, we come together and make for a strong diverse police force representative of today’s society.

Don’t be afraid to be who you are.”

Awards

Minister’s Award recognising top student – Constable Jessie Laing, Waitematā

Patron’s Award, recognising second top student – Constable Kirstin Stewart, Wellington

Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Shayna Tapusoa, Waitematā

Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Joshua White, Bay of Plenty

Driver Training and Road Policing Practise Award – Constable Daniel White, Wellington

Firearms Award – Constable Alexandra Barlev, Auckland

Deployment information

The new constables will have a one week break before commencing duties in their districts.

The wing is being dispersed as follows:

Northland – 3

Waitemata – 11

Auckland – 9

Counties Manukau – 11

Waikato – 7

Bay of Plenty – 6

Eastern – 3

Central – 6

Wellington – 7

Tasman – 2

Canterbury – 8

Southern - 5

ENDS

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