Friends and family gathered at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua on Thursday as 39 new police constables graduated from Wing 393 and prepared to begin frontline duties across Aotearoa.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers addressed the ceremony alongside Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello, members of the police executive and wing patron Keven Mealamu.
The newly attested officers will begin work in police districts around the country during the week starting Monday 23 March. They will continue training on the job as probationary constables.
Eight of the new officers will be posted to the Wellington district, with others deployed nationwide including 19 to Tāmaki Makaurau, five to Waikato, six to Bay of Plenty and seven to the Central district.
Constable Aaron Rock, the top graduate and recipient of the Minister’s Award, said the milestone reflected strong support from his family. Rock previously worked in firefighting and emergency medical services before joining police.
“I will be forever grateful for my family’s sacrifices and unwavering support,” Rock said. “They push me constantly to become a better version of myself. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love.”
Rock will begin his policing career in the Central district.
Constable Harawira Smith, who affiliates to Ngāti Kahungunu and Te Arawa, received the Commissioner’s Award for Leadership. Smith said the moment represented pride and responsibility.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Aotearoa,” Smith said. “I am proud to stand alongside every member of Wing 393.”
Smith will be posted to Bay of Plenty district.
Other award recipients included Constable D’arcy Murray, who received the Patron’s Award as second top student, Constable Jovarn Simmonds for firearms training, Constable Alfred Cathro for driver training and road policing practice, and Constable Luke Cherrington for physical training and defensive tactics.
Wing 393 includes 30.6 percent women and 69.4 percent men. Most recruits identify as New Zealand European at 69.4 percent, with Asian recruits making up 20.4 percent. Māori and Pasifika each represent 4.1 percent of the wing, with 2 percent identifying as Latin American, African or Middle Eastern.
Wing patron Keven Mealamu, a former All Black who played more than 100 tests for New Zealand, has supported the recruits through their training. Mealamu was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to rugby and now works in business and community leadership roles.
The Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua trains all frontline police recruits in New Zealand, with graduating wings regularly celebrated by the wider Porirua community.