When sixty of us seventeen and eighteen year olds gathered at the Police College in Trentham, Upper Hutt, in January 1981, probably none of us really knew why we were doing it, or where it might lead us. We had been selected from a pool of applicants and given that the country was in a recession and unemployment was rising, it was likely – in retrospect – that there would have been no shortage of applicants. From what I can tell, some joined because of family connections, some because they saw this as a lifelong career, and others, well, who knows what 17 year olds base decisions on!
Our Covid-delayed 40 year reunion recently took place in Wellington, with 27 members of the group, some spouses and an instructor. And we saw videos of four others who didn’t make it, including until recently the coach of an international rugby team.
Until 1981 we were appointed as temporary officers to assist with police work during the controversial Springbok Tour. 58 Graduated. Unfortunately, four have passed away. Three of us, including one of my best friends, started our police careers in Dunedin. Six of the 58 are still serving in the police force.
During the reunion weekend we visited the Royal NZ Police College in Porirua where we were the first residents to move to in March 1981. Exactly 42 years ago today, on April 1, 1981, the then Prince of Wales visited us and formally opened the new College. It was a great event, and we trained hard to perform a telegraph pole gymnastics show, got a crash course in marching and drills and I’m sure we made everyone quite proud, from our parents in attendance, to the Police Commissioner Bob Walton to and to then Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. Prince Charles was our patron and that is why we were and still are known as the 25th Cadet Wing of the Prince of Wales. The Cadet program only lasted another year, and after that all recruits had to be adults at least 19 years old!
During the reunion, it seemed to me that there might be an inverse relationship between police employment and the enthusiasm to relive that special year. For the six cadets still serving as police officers, it was clear that they were proud, but life was still very much in the present. A great career for each of them I would say.
For me, after nine years, there was a certain amount of wonder in revisiting college, and with it, putting away all the memories. Some things I don’t remember ever knowing. During the tour the subject of pay came up. “$8,990 was our starting salary,” I explained. Turns out this was only if you had UE – otherwise it was $1000 less! Parts of my career are stored there forever and I never knew it – the exhibition at the Museum of the Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior where I was brought in to support as 2 i/c Exhibits, the Bomb attack on the Handelshal where, along with a detective sergeant, I had been privileged to carry out the Auckland investigations, and the memorial to police officers who had died in the line of duty, including a sergeant I knew Dunedin. All sobering and satisfying to think about at the same time.
While enjoying a cup of tea in the canteen at the end of the tour, I had a chat with the newest recruits and discovered that their patron is one of my partners at PwC. Small world. If they represent the police of the future, we are very lucky. We were much more mature and balanced than I remember!
There are practical things I learned in law enforcement that I still use every day in my work – freeze the scene! – which is now more about capturing electronic devices in my work, but the principles are exactly the same as for a physical environment, and capturing and recording evidence for use in court.
But the gift of training and time in law enforcement has maintained resilience, perspective and composure under pressure.
I also use that every day. It’s good leadership.
Actually, many thanks to the police.
Stephen
Reference By: stephendrain.com
