Picture: Counting the beat as new constables graduate

Picture / Mark Mitchell

Constable Joanne Kelly (centre) is one of 95 new constables ready to inject new blood into the force. The constables, aged between 18 and 42, graduated yesterday from the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.

It is the latest in a series of boosts to the police that includes Government promises of $500 million for an extra 1000 police and another 250 non-sworn staff, $10.8 million for a new electronic bail scheme and $3.5 million a year to run a new non-emergency call-centre.

Former bar manager and postie Constable Mark Hamilton, 24, was recognised as top graduate. He is one of 15 recruits bound for Auckland City; 18 are headed for Counties Manukau. Of the 95 graduates, 71 are male, 24 female.