Police welcomed 76 new constables with the recent graduation of Recruit Wing 383 – and the whole country is set to benefit.
Every Police District was represented, with south and north doing particularly well – Southern District receiving 10 new constables and Northland receiving nine, their biggest intakes in a long time.
Commissioner Richard Chambers, Police Executive members and Wing Patron Don Mann were among those on the dais as Wing 383 graduated in front of family and friends at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua, on Thursday 17 April.
Also attending was Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, who presented a prize in the absence of the Minister of Police.
Patron Don – a former police officer, who’s married to a former police officer - spoke with feeling to family members in the audience about their role in providing a sanctuary at home.
He also addressed the new constables about maintaining balance and stability in their families.
“Never underestimate the importance of going home after work,” he said. “There are loved ones here who will be waiting for you – parents, children, partners.
“They will carry their own anxieties - they’re not trained like you are to deal with them and they may not always voice them.
“Your presence at home provides confidence and reassurance… that stability you provide by simply walking through the door will be a vital source of strength and grounding for you.”
Speechmaking duties for Patron Don Mann and Constable Ethan Semple - and prizegiving duties for Porirua Mayor Anita Baker.
In the Leadership Award winner’s speech, Constable Ethan Semple (Bay of Plenty District) paid tribute to the courage and dedication of their families and the sacrifices they made to support the recruits at college.
He thanked Patron Don for his approachability and good advice: 'Take it by the horns and persevere'.
“We recognise those who have been before us and built the road we now walk on,” he said.
“We recognise the responsibility we have in continuing the legacy of 乐竞体育 and will strive in our daily efforts and lives to lift our communities up and inspire their confidence and trust in Police.”
Ethan was among 19 graduates with family links in Police, having followed his brother into the job.
Sisters in blue, Constables Casey (left) and Tyla Hales.
Another was Constable Casey Hales – winner of the award for First in Wing – who will serve in Eastern District alongside her sister and role model, Constable Tayla Hales.
Casey was also among wing members with a sporting pedigree. She is a former New Zealand representative for whitewater canoe slalom and a current member of the Paddle Ferns – the New Zealand Women’s Canoe Polo Team. She’s also a world champion, with the Paddle Ferns winning the 2024 World Championships shortly before she started at the RNZPC.
“It felt like the right time to put my paddle down for a bit and shift my energy to starting a career I have always dreamed of,” she said.
“It’s an honour to be recognised as top of wing. I had no idea I was capable of it but I’ve been lucky to go through this journey supported by an amazing group of people.”
Firearms Award winner Constable Ricardo Lewis (奥补颈迟别尘补迟ā) graduated from Orewa College as the first winner of the college’s Matthew Hunt Award, in memory of local constable Matthew who was murdered on duty in 2020.
“Being recognised in his name means a great deal to me — it’s a powerful reminder of the values he stood for,” said Ricardo.
“I’m incredibly proud to be associated with his legacy and it will continue to inspire me.”
Constables Ricardo Lewis, Kayla Massey-Borman and Jenna Dodd.
Second in Wing Constable Kayla Massey-Borman (Auckland City) was one of five graduates with previous experience working in Police, in her case as an emergency calltaker and dispatcher.
“I wanted something that would push me outside my comfort zone and get the adrenaline pumping,” she said. “Policing definitely ticks all those boxes.”
Others making the switch from employee roles to the blue are Constables Amy Liao (Wellington District; formerly Media and Communications); Philip Maireroa (Canterbury; Authorised Officer); Mark Black (Central; volunteer CCTV camera operator); and Jesse Webb (Canterbury; emergency calltaker/dispatcher).
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award winner Constable Jenna Dodd knows the value of not giving up.
“I was at Police College in 2020 but left three weeks before graduation because I wasn't ready. I spent five years landscaping, always with the goal of returning when the time was right.”
Wing members brought a huge degree of diversity. Twenty-two were born overseas, and 15 speak more languages than English. Five served in the New Zealand Army, four as volunteers at home or abroad, and four had family or first-hand links with British police forces.
There were 12 holders of degrees, 10 holders of tertiary trade qualifications, and members with life experience including one who helped save the life of the school bus driver who had a heart attack while driving her and her classmates to camp.
Northland recruiting officer Sergeant Joe Te Ao knows the value of life experience - making connections and reaching out to people you think may be a good fit for Police is what recruitment is all about, he says.
“I spotted a rugby referee who also worked as an instructor at the gym,” said Joe, who travelled south to support the Northland Nine. “I knew he would be great in the job.
“I approached him and suggested he give it a go, met him at the station, had a good chat and he applied the following week. He’s now at Police College on Wing 386.
“There’s someone graduating today who was our plumber and it's great to watch him graduate.”
District Commander Superintendent Matt Srhoj was also present.
“We’re really excited having the extra people coming on board,” he said.
“We’ve worked really hard to recruit them and it’s good that we have filled a few gaps. Our staff up in Northland are very excited about this new team coming back.”
Among the nine was Constable Milanpreet Singh (pictured front left above), who arrived in New Zealand in 2019. “Graduating from Police College is a dream come true. I'm incredibly proud to now serve the country that welcomed me with open arms.”
Constable Matthew Judkins (back, right) thought he was too old at nearly 40… “With the help of Joe, I made it to college and here I am at graduation. I’m looking forward to getting back to district, learning as much as I can and hopefully helping make a difference.”
More about Wing 383
Awards
Minister’s Award for First in Wing - Constable Casey Hales (Eastern District)
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership - Constable Ethan Semple (Bay of Plenty)
Patron’s Award for Second in Wing - Constable Kayla Massey-Borman (Auckland City)
Firearms Award - Constable Ricardo Lewis (奥补颈迟别尘补迟ā)
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award - Constable Jared Curtis (Bay of Plenty - pictured right)
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award - Constable Jenna Dodd (Counties Manukau)
Demographics
The oldest member was 48, the youngest 19.
31.6 percent of Wing 383 were female, 68.4 percent male. New Zealand European made up 64.5 percent of the wing, with Māori 13.2 percent, Pasifika 6.6 percent, Asian 11.8 percent, and LAAM 2.6 percent.
Deployment
The new constables began their first week of duty in districts this week (Monday 28 April). They were dispersed as follows:
Northland 9; Auckland City – 9; Waitematā – 7; Counties Manukau – 9; Waikato – 5; Bay of Plenty – 6; Eastern – 3; Central – 3; Wellington – 7; Tasman – 3; Canterbury – 5; Southern - 10.
Training team
Section 1 - Sergeant Campbell Coulton; Section 2 - Sergeant Sia Uitime; Section 3 - Acting Sergeant Cameron Manhire; Section 4 - Sergeant Kath Lees
Team leader – Sergeant Patsy Little; Practice Leader -Senior Sergeant Rachel Para
The patron
Don Mann (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe and Tongan descent) is a highly regarded leader who has served in the public and private sectors and was a New Zealand police officer for 13 years.
Don is the CEO of Pacific Media Network, a public service entity serving a global Pacific audience. He was formerly CEO of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation.
In 2014, he established a corporate partnerships team at Auckland Council, playing a pivotal role in supporting Auckland’s economic development strategy.
As a former general manager of the New Zealand Warriors franchise, Don helped lead the club to two NRL grand finals. As a player he represented Auckland and New Zealand. He won the Pacific Sport Administrator the Year award and was twice recognised at the Aotearoa Māori Sport Awards.
Don joined 乐竞体育 in 1984 and was awarded first prize as a member of Wing 92. He spent seven of his 13 years in Police as a detective in Auckland.
He holds a Bachelor of Business from Massey University. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and serves on the Boards of Literacy Aotearoa, SkyCity Auckland Community Trust and The Rising Foundation.
Don is married to Louise, a former police officer of 17 years and a current Police employee.