Search and Rescue star shines – Police graduation on Thursday

Forty new constables will graduate from The Royal New Zealand Police College in Wing 277 on Thursday. Their wing patron is Dame Margaret Bazley ONZ, DNZM.

Constable Rochelle Andrews, from Wellington, has taken out four of the top awards including the Minister’s Award for First in Wing.

Rochelle is no stranger to stepping up to help her community. Prior to joining police Rochelle volunteered with Land Search and Rescue (SAR) and was an active member of search operations where police and civilians worked closely together. On one such occasion she was part of the team who found a 5-year-old autistic boy who had got lost on the Orongorongo Track (Rimutaka Forest Park).

Constable Andrews says she is keen to develop a strong foundation in general duties policing before evaluating her career options, but she is keen to return to her passion where possible.

“I’m hoping to join the Wellington Police SAR squad and go back on searches with my old friends, just in a different uniform”.

“I think search and rescue is a great aspect of police work because people are usually very happy to see you when they are found…as opposed to attitudes of offenders when they are found”.

While at Police College the ‘stars aligned’ and Rochelle was lucky enough to meet two officers who had recently been awarded Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to New Zealand Police and Search and Rescue. Sergeant Dene Duthie (MNZM), from Auckland and Senior Constable Philip Simmonds (MNZM), from Canterbury.

Wing 277 award winners:

Minister’s Award for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Rochelle Andrews, posted to Wellington. Constable Andrews was also awarded the Prevention Award (for the overall winner of Practical Assessments and Fingerprinting), the Information Technology Skills Award (overall winner in Computer Skills and Skills Files), and the Weapon Training Award (for the top student in all Firearms assessments). The Prevention Award is supported by the Crimestoppers Trust.

Commissioner’s Award for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Elliot Bartley, posted to Auckland City. Constable Bartley was also awarded the Academic Award (for the overall winner of Academic Exams 1, 2 and 3).

Patron’s Award for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable Daniel Wood, posted to Auckland City.

The Tactical Skills and Safety Award (overall winner in Defensive Tactics, Firearms and Driving) was awarded to Constable Brett Simons, posted to Counties-Manukau. Constable Simons was also jointly awarded the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award (top student in all Defensive Tactics assessments).

The Driver Training Award (for the top student in all Driver Training assessments) was awarded to Constable Stuart Clarke, posted to Counties-Manukau.

The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award (top student in all Defensive Tactics assessments) was jointly awarded to Constable Kirsten Peacock, posted to Wellington, and Constable Brett Simons (see above).

Police Association Prizes for Section Achievement:

This prize is awarded to an individual from each section who, in the collective view of the members of the section and the wing instructors, made the greatest contribution to the overall success of the team.

Section One - Constable Melissa Curtis, posted to Wellington
Section Two - Constable Duncan Walker, posted to Waitematä

Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 27 June at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Police, the Hon Anne Tolley and the Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.

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