Hat trick for talented White Fern

"This wing embodies the pride of New Zealand Police and leave the College with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make our communities safer," says Sean.

Hat trick for Katie - 

Constable Katie Perkins describes herself as a hard working, competitive individual that sets herself high standards. The Auckland-based cricketing star has taken out three of the top awards as part of her graduation from Police College.

“Being a leader amongst my peers and setting an example is something I enjoy and may be some of the personal traits that have drawn me to becoming a policewoman. I have a heart for serving others and helping those in need. Working for the Police gives me the opportunity to be on the frontline of my community, ready to respond as best as I can to those that need help,” says Katie.

“To play cricket for New Zealand was the dream I had since I was five years old. I achieved my dream at the start of 2012 when I played for the White Ferns against Australia. Cricket is my passion, and representing my country is the best feeling. To balance being the best cricketer I can be with the best police officer I can be is my challenge, but one I am ready for.”

Landslide no barrier to success
Also graduating is Constable Rhiannon Williams. Originally from the United Kingdom “Rhia” has taken out the top award in the wing. Rhia started her OE in 2007 and after 6 weeks of travel she landed in New Zealand and never left. Like Katie, Rhia is a keen sportswoman and once represented her county, Worcestershire, in netball.

Constable Williams is no stranger to living life on the edge and succeeding in the face of adversity. The home she rents fell victim to the Kingston land slip in June and she and her partner were evacuated just before dawn when nearly 50,000 cubic metres of soil destroyed the slope at the back of their house.

“The slip happened when I was home from College on weekend leave and it was very scary. I got a very real first-hand experience of the type of work I may face when working in the community, as supporting our partner agencies during natural disasters is a big part of our job in police,” says Rhia. 

“There is no way I could have achieved so well at College if it wasn’t for the out-pouring of support from my colleagues and police management following the slip. It made me realise I am part of the wider police family.”

Lifelong ambition realised
Constable Shazmeen Khan is one of eight women graduating on Thursday.

Shazmeen shares this special occasion with fellow members of the Muslim community in New Zealand as she is graduating during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“I have wanted to be a police officer since I was seven. I love the feeling of helping people, knowing at the end of the day you have made a difference in someone’s life. I am so proud and I can’t wait to experience life as a member of New Zealand Police,” says Shazmeen.

Superintendent Wallace Haumaha, General Manager Maori Pacific and Ethnic Communities, is delighted at Shazmeen’s success.

'Shazmeen is a fitting example of the growing number of exceptional and talented young people that are joining our organisation to serve our communities. It is a proud day for Police as well as all the graduates loved ones."

Absolutely positively a Wellington winner
Wellington-based Constable David Payne has taken out two awards that recognise his outstanding leadership qualities, the Section Award and the Leadership Award.

The first recognises an individual who, in the collective view of the members of the section and the wing instructors, made the greatest contribution to the overall success of the team. The Leadership Award, supported by Porirua City Council, recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and potential to succeed.

Born and bred in Cannons Creek, the former Tawa College prefect is looking forward to catching up with his old schoolmate, Porirua City Mayor Nick Leggett.

David credits his time on the rugby field as a pathway to his success. He played senior club rugby in Wellington for the Tawa Rugby Club and notched up nearly 100 premier games before securing a semi-professional contract in Edinburgh, Scotland. After a successful season there he spent the following two seasons playing in Oxford, and then secured a season in Edmonton, Canada, followed by two seasons in Vancouver.

“Rugby gave me a fantastic platform to travel with, gave me some amazing experiences and opportunities and introduced me to some life-long friends,” says David.

“I went to Wellington Central Police Station on work experience as a 13-year-old and since then a career with New Zealand Police had always been my ambition.

“I am a passionate believer in the one life we have to live so a job which makes a positive, proactive difference in society has always been the goal for me.

“At this stage I would really like to be involved in Youth Aid and community-based work, using ‘Prevention First’ strategies and helping to give people with limited opportunities the chance to seek a positive future for themselves, their family and the community in which they live.”


Members of Wing 278 have been posted to stations throughout the North Island.


Wing 278 award winners:

• Minister’s Award for First in Wing was awarded to Constable Rhiannon Williams, posted to Wellington. Constable Williams was also awarded the Information Technology Skills Award (overall winner in Computer Skills and Skills Files), and jointly won the Weapon Training Award (for the top students in all Firearms assessments).

• Commissioner’s Award for Second in Wing was awarded to Constable Katie Perkins, posted to Counties-Manukau. Constable Perkins was also awarded the Tactical Skills and Safety Award (overall winner in Defensive Tactics, Firearms and Driving) and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award (top student in all Defensive Tactics assessments).

• Patron’s Award for Third in Wing was awarded to Constable Corbin Elliott, posted to Counties-Manukau. Constable Elliott was also awarded the Driver Training Award (for the top student in all Driver Training assessments).

• The Prevention Award (for the overall winner of Practical Assessments and Fingerprinting) was awarded to Constable Cody Shaw. The Prevention Award is supported by the Crimestoppers Trust.

• The Academic Award (for the overall winner of Academic Exams 1, 2 and 3), and the Leadership Award (in recognition of having demonstrated outstanding leadership and potential to succeed) were awarded to Constable David Payne, posted to Wellington. Constable Payne was also awarded the Section Two prize.

• The Weapon Training Award (for the top students in all Firearms assessments) was jointly awarded to Constable Caleb Kahotea, posted to Northland, and Constable Rhiannon Williams (see above).

Awards for Section Achievement: Supported by the Police Association.

This is awarded to an individual from each section who, in the collective view of the members of the section and the wing instructors, made the greatest contribution to the overall success of the team.

• Section One Constable Katrina Gardiner, posted to Waikato
• Section Two Constable David Payne, posted to Wellington

Graduation will take place at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 8 August at 2:00pm. The ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Police, the Hon Anne Tolley, and the Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.