Six new police officers are set to begin work in the Bay of Plenty region, following their graduation today. A total of 78 officers graduated from the New Zealand Police College, marking the first batch since the training course was extended from 16 to 20 weeks.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster, Minister for Police Mark Mitchell, and Alan Richards, a retired police sergeant with nearly 60 years of service. Richards praised the recruits for their commitment to creating a brighter future.
The graduating class included officers who previously served in the New Zealand armed services, as well as those with tertiary education in various fields. Some have family members currently serving in the police, while others have worked in custody units or emergency communication centres. Twelve of the graduates were born overseas, and 20 can speak more than one language.
Constable Steven Smith, a former Royal New Zealand Airforce Communications and Information Systems Technician, received the Leadership Award. He will be based in the Bay of Plenty District. The Minister’s Award for Top of Wing went to Constable Kayla Holley, a former Royal New Zealand Air Force Logistics Specialist and corporal. Constable Ella Kirk, whose husband is also a police officer, won the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award.
The new officers will start their first day of duty on Monday, June 3, 2024. The class is 30.8% female and 69.2% male, with 59% being New Zealand European, 19.2% Māori, 12.8% Pasifika, 3.8% Asian, and 1.3% LAAM.
