A trained chef, a judo champ, a financial trader and a former Olympian were among 67 new constables to graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua yesterday.
Several had formerly represented New Zealand in various sports, including handball, inline hockey, ice hockey, and judo, with one stand-out performer, Robert Eastham, having travelled to the 2008 Beijing Olympics for smallbore rifle-shooting.
The average age of the wing was 26, police said, and many hold degrees and diplomas.
The Minister's Award for First in Wing went to Constable Timothy Johnston, who has been posted to Auckland. Mr Johnston was also awarded the Academic Award.
Constable Roy Sparey won the Tactical Skills and Safety Award and was also jointly awarded the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award.
