"I have always had a dream of joining the New Zealand police."
During his time with the air force, Mr Skates was deployed to numerous locations including East Timor, Sinai and Afghanistan.
Other graduating constables include Christie Welton, Katherine Raines and Michael Nepia - all former volunteer firefighters.
The trio were looking forward to hitting the streets for their new jobs.
"For me it's about my whanau, my friends and my community," Mr Nepia said.
"It's about making sure they can continue to go about their lives and have the knowledge they will be looked after and feel safe."
Ms Welton, who became a volunteer firefighter when she was 18, said the skills she learnt with the Fire Service would be useful in her new role.
"Becoming a volunteer at 18 has helped me to grow as a person and to build the skills it takes to be a successful police officer.
"I know there will be some hard times throughout my career, but I also know I will always have my fellow wing members and colleagues who will have my back, just like my former colleagues in the Fire Service."
Ms Raines expected her new job would bring many new challenges.
"While I have worked in some pretty tough situations as a volunteer fire fighter already, I know a career in the New Zealand police is going to continuously challenge me," she said.
"But I'm looking forward to the challenge because I know that every day I go to work, I'm helping to change the lives of others by preventing crime, supporting victims, and ensuring the community feels safe and is safe."
