From behind the camera lens to a career in the police

New police recruit Kenny Rodger is about to embark on his training with recruiting officer Sergeant Shelly Hill and new Constable Constable Shawny Hokai.PHOTO/ Michael Cunningham

Kenny Rodger reckons he had a unique insight into what life on the beat as a police officer would be like before deciding to join the thin blue line.

He spent 25 years behind a camera lens photographing news events for a major daily New Zealand newspaper which often meant working with police - even if it was from the outside of a cordon.

"Throughout my career I worked alongside police and sometimes in very heated situations. I always admired their professionalism. I never saw anything that gave me a reason not to join," Mr Rodger said.

"I saw officers helping people and sometimes the public don't get to see that. They might get eight jobs in a day and in at least half of those they can make it a better day for someone."

The Whangarei father of two, who turns 46 this week, is about to start his 15-week training course at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.

Mr Rodger was one of six recruits who attended a pre-college farewell at the Northland District Headquarters in Whangarei.

It is one of the bigger Northland contingents sent to college in recent years.

Mr Rodger, of Ngati Hine decent, is relishing the chance to begin his training but is under no illusions.

"I expect to tested, challenged and fail and to find a way to achieve. That's what got me here."

Recent graduate Constable Shawny Hokai spoke to the recruits and gave them an insight into college life.

She graduated last October and, after a five week stint in Kaikohe, has been posted to Kaitaia.

With strong links to Whangape, the 24-year-old said she loves policing in a rural community.

"I love policing where I am from and going back to my roots and helping in the community and helping families. Working in the rural environment it makes you feel like you can make a difference for someone."

She left school at 16 and went farming but was drawn to policing by the camaraderie, the prospect of better work stories and the variety.

In three months on the beat she has attended a suicide, burglary, domestic disputes, crashes, robbery and a pursuit.

"People look to you to have the answers and in stressful situations you have to think on your feet. You always have to remember you are dealing with someone's family in good and bad situations."

Northland police recruiting officer Sergeant Shelly Hill said police wanted to recruit people who reflected Northland's communities.

Recruiting locally and having officers return to the area they knew was a huge benefit.

Anyone considering a career in the police can go to www.newcops.co.nz or call 0800 NEW COPS - 0800 639 2677. If you would like to speak to Sergeant Hill call Whangarei Police station on 09 430 4500.