A force to be reckoned with

force A TO BE RECKONED WITH

From one blue uniform to another, Dio Old Girls Rebecca Sherie (Dearing, 2000) and Anna Freestone (2011) have both found rewarding careers with the New Zealand Police.

It’s almost 80 years since the first 10 policewomen were recruited in New Zealand. In June 1941 new female police recruits had to be aged between 25 and 40 years, unmarried or widowed and be able to use a typewriter. After training they became temporary constables with no uniform.

The challenging and fulfilling police careers of these two Dio Old Girls illustrate just how much has changed since then.

FOLLOWING HER STAR

For Rebecca Sherie, the desire to be a police officer started in primary school.

Rebecca attended Dio from 1994 to 2000 and subsequently enjoyed a 13-year career with the NZ Police. She says the organisation is all about equal opportunities with numerous career pathways for women. “It comes down to where your passions and skillset lie, whether it’s in a detective or superintendent role, or even as Police Commissioner! Women can work in forensics, as a police photographer, a youth aid officer or even an Armed Offender Squad (AOS) member – the possibilities are endless.”

Initially Rebecca worked for NZ Police as a non-sworn member for three years in various roles including in the 111 call centre and as a public counter supervisor at Manukau Police Station.

Selected to attend the Royal New Zealand Police College, she studied law, and learnt defence tactics, firearms, driving, basic forensic skills and role playing. Rebecca then worked in the Strategic Traffic Unit and the Serious Crash Units in the Counties Manukau and Waikato districts. In 2013, she and her husband (also a police officer) moved to Taranaki with their baby

Rebecca (second from left) completed the Sky Tower Challenge climb in full uniform. Left: Rebecca on Zip, patrolling the Taranaki A&P show as part of a mounted unit.

“Knowing that the quick actions and the decisions you made, often under pressure, ultimately saved someone’s life is immensely satisfying.”

Former police officer Rebecca Sherie

where Rebecca joined the Burglary Squad and undertook acting sergeant duties.

Recognition for bravery

While police officers frequently find themselves in dangerous situations, sometimes their acts of courage go beyond what’s normally expected. In 2018, Rebecca was awarded a New Zealand Police District Commander Certificate for Bravery for her role in an assault incident. An elderly man had been shot and was lying badly injured in an open paddock. As Rebecca and another officer began performing CPR on the man, they learned that the offender (in possession of several firearms) was just metres away in a nearby house.

“All three of us [police officers] were unarmed so, while continuing to provide CPR to the victim, we individually armed up with weapons from our vehicles,” Rebecca explains.

Ambulance and fire crew arrived but, with back-up police units around 40 minutes away, she and the other officers had to manage the situation alone. “While the other two officers went to locate and (subsequently) arrest the offender, I stood guard in the open field providing armed protection for the ambulance and fire staff so they could give the victim medical assistance.”

Unfortunately, the man died at the scene, but quick thinking and professional action by Rebecca and her colleagues meant the situation was resolved with no further casualties.

Police bravery awards are occasionally presented to officers (and sometimes members of the public) who have placed themselves in situations of extreme danger. This was the first time an award ceremony had been conducted in Taranaki.

Among other career highlights, Rebecca worked with Immigration NZ for two years to get a local criminal deported back to Scotland. She also captained the New Zealand Emergency Services hockey team in the trans-Tasman test at the Australasian Emergency Services Games in 2012. Throughout her years of policing, she was actively involved in the Police Council of Sport and Blue Light, a charity that delivers youth programmes and activities.

After 13 years, Rebecca recently left the NZ Police to spend quality time with her young family. Before resigning, she passed her sergeant’s exam – only 15 percent of New Zealand police officers hold the rank of sergeant.

She describes working for the NZ Police as interesting, varied, challenging and rewarding, and says it’s a career that lets you make a positive difference to the lives of individuals, communities and New Zealand society.

“Don’t get me wrong; it’s a tough, often stressful and sometimes extremely challenging job. Some of the things I’ve had to deal with, most people don’t see or even believe can happen in society. However, I’ve also had amazing experiences, and met some very interesting people. Every day you’re making a real difference in people’s lives, helping solve crimes, and making New Zealand a better place for everyone. Knowing that the quick actions and the decisions you made, often under pressure, ultimately saved someone’s life is immensely satisfying.

“The time I spent in the Police, the experiences I encountered, the friends I made are what I will cherish and tell my children and grandchildren about.”

Police officers have to be mentally strong, self-assured and confident enough to take on any incident they’re called to. Rebecca believes the leadership and communication skills she learnt by being involved in arts groups and sports teams at Dio helped her a lot in her police career.

But policework isn’t the only thing she’s has been up to since leaving school. Rebecca has also trekked to Everest Base Camp, represented Taranaki in the National Senior Women’s hockey tournament, participated in the Cure Kids $10 Queenstown Challenge (including shaving her head for the charity) and organised a successful event to raise funds for Rett Syndrome NZ. She’s currently doing office administration for a Taranaki real estate company.

SERENDIPITY STRIKES

Like Rebecca, Detective Anna Freestone also left Dio and joined the NZ Police. She works in the Organised Crime Unit at Auckland Central Police Station.

Anna attended Dio for seven years, leaving in 2011. She hadn’t even considered policing as a career, but in Year 11 a school careers advisor encouraged her to attend a day out for students interested in studying law. Anna went along to help make up the numbers, but it ended up being a life-defining moment.

“As it turns out, we were going to the Auckland Central Police Station for a full day of seeing what the Police do and all the different roles they have. I got home that day and told everyone, ‘I’m going to be a police officer.’”

Anna applied in her last year at Dio and did six months of training at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua. New recruits now have the option to train in Auckland and the process is slightly different.

“For the first few years of my career I was on the frontline, also known as public safety team (PST),” says Anna. “PST is the immediate response for attending 111 calls. I attended many types of jobs including burglaries, shoplifting, assaults, disorders, family harm incidents, sudden deaths and car crashes.

“I then joined the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) to do my detective training. While working as a detective I’ve been involved in more serious jobs like serious assaults, sexual assaults, robberies, homicides and criminal organisations.”

Top of the class

Becoming a detective has been the highlight of Anna’s police career to date. Her training began with a four-week induction course followed by two years of work experience during which she sat nine exams, completed 10 workplace assignments and presented on a case. Anna’s overall score saw her gain first place on her qualifying course (of 24), and she became a detective in November 2019.

“The one thing Dio prepared me for in the Police was how to work as a team. Dio sport was a huge part of my life. I’ve always been on teams, including years of netball and basketball at Dio. Now I work as a team with my Police family to get the best possible outcomes for victims and the community.

“Over the years I’ve attended many jobs where people are in their most vulnerable state. Many have given me a hug, thanking me for my work as I’ve helped them get through one of the hardest things in their life. It’s really rewarding knowing that I’ve made a difference in that person’s life.”

Anna strongly encourages any women considering a police career to give it a go.

“There are no limits on what women can do in the Police. We have female dog handlers and AOS members, females who work in the Police helicopter, and both women and men who work flexible hours to take care of their families. As long as you can pass the physical tests that come with those roles, anyone can join.”

“I’ve attended many jobs where people are in their most vulnerable state. Many have given me a hug, thanking me for my work as I’ve helped them get through one of the hardest things in their life.”

Detective Anna Freestone

Find out more about joining NZ Police at the New Cops website newcops.co.nz