Patron's Award for new constable

A woman born and raised in Queenstown has received the second-highest honour accorded to new police, at her graduation yesterday.

Constable Grace Allan was one of 79 new constables graduating as part of Wing 316 from the Royal New Zealand Police College yesterday.

She received the Patron's Award, recognising the second-top student based on all course assessments.

Of the 79 new police, just three were headed to the Southern district.

Const Allen is returning to walk the beat in her home town, while one is coming to Dunedin and another to Gore.

Seventeen are heading to Wellington, 11 to Counties Manukau and 10 to Auckland.

Police said the wing was made up of 23 women and 56 men.

The oldest graduate was 50 years old and the youngest 19.

A florist, physiotherapist, electrician and four former police communications emergency call takers were among the graduates