Police target female recruits
It was a birthday that finally convinced Jody Orchard she had to get on with making her dream happen.
‘‘Turning 40 was the catalyst when I realised I had to start walking the walk.’’
Now 42, and about to graduate from Porirua’s Police College, Orchard said the only regret she had is that she didn’t join the force sooner, although life experience has stood her in good stead.
‘‘Having children really helps you learn to negotiate with people.’’
On Saturday, for the first time, the college held a female recruitment day and it’s recruits like Orchard it was targeting.
With a target of having 50 per cent female recruits by 2021, the organisation still has a long way to go. In 2015, a third of recruits were women, the highest number yet.
Detective Sergeant Sonya Douglas said it was women who had thought about applying but hesitated that the college wanted to reach.
Would-be cops with life experience were particularly in demand, she said.
Orchard said life experience was one of the most valuable things she brought to the job.
‘‘I’m not saying you should wait to gain that though, do it now.’’
Spending the 18-week course away from her Tauranga family was difficult but bedtime phone calls and weekend trips home made it bearable.
‘When I was home on the weekend the tooth fairy came and that was lucky.’’
Living with other recruits was also a challenge - ‘‘it’s been a very long time since I was flatting’’ - but the college tended to group similar aged recruits together and most of her dorm mates were parents.
‘‘Because we live together we can support each other because not everyone has a good day every day.’’
Graduation would be held on December 21 and she would be starting her new job back in Tauranga in early January.
‘‘I’m happy I’ve finally done it, I’ve made it.’’