Constable Ben Spenceley is one of 60 new police officers ready to hit the streets after graduating from their police training this week.

Award-winning actor and director, and Wing 377 patron, Dame Miranda Harcourt DNZM was proud to be in the audience as the new officers graduated in Porirua on Thursday.

In attendance was Acting Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, members of the police executive, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and whānau and friends of the graduates.

The graduates are from New Zealand and all over the world, including, South Africa, India, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and many of the recruits speak more than one, or two languages.

Several of the wing are former military or have followed in the footsteps of their relatives to train as police officers.

A number of the recruits have volunteered for emergency services and other charity groups, including one who has been a mentor for the Big Brother, Big Sister programme.

Constable Ben Spenceley, who will be based in Bay of Plenty, was the recipient of the commissioner’s Leadership Award and addressed the wing during the ceremony.

“This is the start of our journey in the New Zealand Police, and for each one of us here, there are many people who have sacrificed and worked hard to allow us to be on parade today. Family, we could not have done it without you.

“To my fellow wing mates, look after each other, stay strong but humble, and remember that one day soon, it will be our turn to help people up this mountain and share our knowledge and experience with them. It is only by lifting them on our shoulders, that we as an organisation, as a family, will get to being the safest country.

“We would like to acknowledge the work of our patron, Dame Miranda Harcourt. We will take your lead in practising our craft and thinking outside the box to help people in our communities.”

Dame Miranda addressed the graduates; “Wing 377 - congratulations, what a major achievement. You now stand at the foot of our mountain. As you climb it, there will be beautiful views and raging storms. Remember to share both with your brothers and sisters who you walk beside.”

As the patron of Women’s Refuge, Dame Miranda has an extensive awareness of the work that police do around stopping family harm and said it was “incredibly moving” to watch the recruits do their training in family violence, learning to intervene using psychology and empathy and to try to break that cycle.

“You should be proud. In my visits here, I’ve watched you 60 amazing humans complete your training and it has been gobsmacking to observe your collegiality, your passion, and your focus.”

Awards:

Minister’s Award recognising top student: Constable Tyler Courtney, posted to Canterbury District.

Patron’s Award for second in wing recognising second top student and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Samuel Ahie, posted to Counties Manukau.

Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Benjamin Spenceley, posted to Bay of Plenty district.

Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Wernich Pheiffer, posted to Waitematā District.

Firearms Award: Constable Jake Low, posted to Eastern District.

Deployment:

The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on Monday, September 15, 2024 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.

Northland 2, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 19 and broken down as follows: Auckland – 7, Waitematā - 5, Counties Manukau - 7; Waikato - 5, Bay of Plenty - 6, Eastern - 6, Central - 5, Wellington - 7, Tasman - 3, Canterbury - 3, Southern - 4.

Demographics:

20% are female, 78.3% are male, and 1.7% are gender diverse. New Zealand European make up 76.7% of the wing, with Māori 6.7%, Pasifika 8.3%, Asian 5% and Other
3.3%.