Eighty new constables have been attested at the Police College in Porirua, with their graduation ceremony to be held today.
Police Minister Poto Williams, Wing Patron Dr Yvonne Crichton-Hill, and Commissioner Andrew Coster will attend the graduation ceremony for Wing 350, which will be livestreamed to family and friends.
The wing members will be deployed to every Police district in New Zealand. They are a diverse group of people who have worked in roles such as a respiratory physiologist, a pastry chef, a professional rugby league player and a youth social worker. Many in the wing have degrees, diplomas and trade qualifications, NZ Police said in a statement.
Wing Patron, Dr Yvonne Crichton-Hill, is highly regarded for her social work and family harm research and expertise. As a senior lecturer in social work and head of department at the University of Canterbury, her research focuses on intimate partner violence and family violence, and she also explores culturally responsive social work practice with a focus on Pacific communities.
She supports Police as an advisor to Commissioner Coster on his National Pacific Advisory Forum, which guides Police’s Pasifika national strategy.
Awards
Minister’s Award recognising top student – Constable Taylor Barker, Waitematā District
Patron’s Award for Second in Wing, recognising second top student – Constable Mandy Lardenoye, Waitematā District
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Savali Maelega Lilo, Auckland City District
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Michael Wallace, Waikato District
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award; and Firearms Award – Constable Jackson Sinclair, Waikato District
Deployment
The wing is being dispersed to districts as follows, starting duty on 14 February.
Northland – 1, Waitematā – 14, Auckland City – 14, Counties Manukau – 12, Waikato – 6, Bay of Plenty – 6, Eastern – 4, Central – 4, Wellington – 8, Tasman – 1, Canterbury – 7, Southern – 3
Wing demographics
Female 36.3%; male 63.8%; NZ European 56.3%; Māori 20%; Pacific 12.5%; Asian 10% and LAAM 1.3%.
