From a bank to working the front line

Serving with the emergency services runs in Constable Lorena Wright’s blood.

The 31-year-old will soon be joining the front lines as a new police recruit, joining her father who is a firefighter.

However, her career path wasn’t so clear cut after leaving high school when she was given a scholarship.

Wright completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland and then had her first child at 22.

She began work at a bank. It was years later that she was encouraged by a friend to apply to be a police officer.

‘‘It’s everything I’d wanted to do ... I wanted to do it, but I wasn’t sure if I could do it,’’ she says.

Before applying, Wright wanted to work on getting her fitness up before taking the physical competency test.

‘‘There was lots of running and I go to kickboxing for fitness ... heaps of push-ups!’’

And the training paid off, as Wright passed her tests at the first attempt.

She says she learned a lot from being at Police College.

‘‘It was challenging being away from family for four months, especially leaving my daughter behind.’’

Her daughter, now 9-years-old, couldn’t be more proud of her mum.

‘‘She thinks it’s really cool. She was telling all her friends before I even graduated ‘my Mum’s going to be a police officer’,’’ Wright says.

The constable grew up in Otahuhu and will soon be patrol- ling the Otara area as part of Counties Manukau East police.

Her father, a firefighter for more than 30 years, is based at the Otara fire station.

Wright says she is looking forward to serving her community.

‘‘I’ve always had good experiences with emergency services ... growing up we had a lot of cops in schools, they were all awesome.’’

As for where Wright wants to see her police career end up, she says there are many opportunities.

‘‘To be honest I have no idea, there are so many options. I’m just going to have an open mind and see how things go.’’

She will soon be on duty along with 38 fellow recruits from Wing 303.

The majority of the 31 men and 8 women will be posted to Auckland City and Counties Manukau police.