Constable Sol Gonzalez (23) is one of seven new police recruits rolling out on the streets of Dunedin.
Formerly from Argentina, she said it was a very dangerous place to live.
"I feel like I can actually help people feel safe, which is something I didn’t feel back in my country."
Constable Gonzalez said it had been a long journey to get here, involving plenty of physical and mental preparation.
She said it was really important to be able to engage with people, listen to their stories and know what she was surrounded by.
Her advice for aspiring recruits was to just go for it.
"What’s there to lose?"
"Apply for it, talk to as many people as you can, inform yourself and just do it."
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said the recruits had a steep learning curve ahead of them, but he was excited to have fresh faces on the force.
"It is exciting for them, it’s good to have fresh faces and experience coming through," he said.
"Their backgrounds can help them relate to the public whom they deal with."
Snr Sgt Bond said the new recruits would go through a two-year probational period of work-based assessments.
They would be mentored by field training officers for the first six weeks of training, before being put on the frontline to respond to 111 calls for the remainder of the two-year period.
After working from behind a desk for 17 years, he wanted a change of pace.
"I really just wanted to make a difference in the local community."
"We’ve got the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day."
Const Wingfield’s journey began a year ago when he decided if he did not join now, he never would.
He said members of the public considering a career with police should give it a crack.
"You can always go back and do whatever you were doing."
"Give it a go now and see if you like it."
Advertisement
