Former Flaxmere College students Ricky Opo and Tinirau Tuiva stand proudly in their Cook Islands police uniform. Photo/ Cook Islands Police.
Former Flaxmere College students Ricky Opo and Tinirau Tuiva stand proudly in their Cook Islands police uniform. Photo/ Cook Islands Police.
Former Flaxmere College students Ricky Opo and Tinirau Tuiva are proudly returning to their roots after undergoing 13 weeks of rigorous training to graduate and be sworn in as Cook Islands police officers in Rarotonga.
Both Tuiva and Opo are originally from Pukapuka, Cook Islands.
Opo said he moved to New Zealand from Pukapuka at the end of the 2011 and started at Flaxmere College in 2012, graduating in 2017.
Tuiva graduated from Flaxmere College the following year.
For Opo, the decision to join the police force and serve his home country was an easy one.
"As a young kid I always wanted a job that helped people, so a police officer was a natural choice - I'm also following in my dad's footsteps as a police officer.
"I will wear this uniform with pride and serve my people and community."
Former Flaxmere College student Tinirau Tuiva receives his Cook Islands police college graduation certificate from Police Commissioner Maara Tetava. Photo/ Cook Islands Police
Flaxmere College principal Louise Anaru said she was extremely proud of the young men's achievements.
"We are so proud of Ricky and Tinirau. It is so humbling to see both outstanding young men achieve their dreams and aspirations.
"We wish them both all the best for a very bright future."
While the training, both practical and theory, was a steep learning curve the duo both said they got through it with the support they received from friends, family and the college.
They were two of nine recruits who graduated from the 2019 Mama Tuki Wright Recruit Wing with head instructor Sennor Sergeant Maeva Kirikava.
The graduation took place at the Cook Islands national police headquarters on September 6, with a number of dignitaries present at the ceremony.
Prime Minister Henry Puna spoke of the importance of service to the community and the effort required in working together as a team.
Former Flaxmere College student Tinirau Tuiva receives his Cook Islands police college graduation certificate from Police Commissioner Maara Tetava. Photo/ Cook Islands Police
Recruit Wing Patron Mama Tuki Wright encouraged the newly-sworn police members by reminding them about the importance of having the right attitude and the Lord on their side.
"You can do it," she said, knowing all too well the importance of self-motivation after suffering her own setback with a physical disability 21 years ago.
Pastor Clark Turua and Tetio Pakitonga Kaitala Aliki represented Pukapuka, as the majority of the recruits were of Pukapuka descent. Five of the nine recruits were young women, doing their part to reset the gender balance in the police service.
Police Commissioner Maara Tetava presented the Patron of the Recruit Wing with her own framed memento of police insignia, epaulets and badges with the police coat of arms.
