What motivates people to join the NZ Police?
The NZ Police is recruiting Asian Police Officers, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to interview Constable Chris Byun from the North Shore Police Station.
Jessica: Why did you wish to join the NZ Police?
Chris: When I was in my second year at Auckland University, I volunteered to join a programme called Teach and Learn in Korea. It was a programme that was designed and organised by the Korean government to have students in rural areas educated in English by native English speakers for free. Many students in rural areas are poor and do not have enough money for education to catch up with the students in urban areas.
While I was in Korea in an area called Mun Baek in Chung Cheong Buk Do Province for a year and a half, I realised how valuable and important it was to help others in need. Coming back to New Zealand, I heard about opportunities to join the New Zealand Police. I realised that it could be the job where I got to help people on a daily basis. As a Christian, it is also important to me to be able to help others in need.
Jessica: What were the challenges for you when you were going through the recruitment process?
Chris: I did not like exercising. I would rather play computer games and hang out with friends in town. Therefore I was not fit at all. So training for the Physical Competency Test and swimming test was difficult. Also, I was not good at communicating with people that I didn’t know.
Jessica: How did you overcome the challenges?
Chris: At the time, I was an Auckland University student. So the only time for me to train was in the morning. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I ran with a marathon group at AUT Millennium Gym. After the running, I went to the gym and did a bit of weight training.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I did more intense weight training followed by swimming.
To improve my communication skills, I joined the Asian Safety Patrol Group where I got to work with Police Officers from Auckland City District Police, patrolling around Auckland CBD area. Whenever I was patrolling with them I would talk to members of the public and the constables I was working with. By doing so, I got to learn how police interact with the public and I also gained more confidence in my communications.
Jessica: Is there an incident you attended to that was specifically significant to you and why?
Chris: Sometimes Police have to inform family members and friends of a sudden or unexpected death and work together to find out what may have happened. For me, I feel privileged to be able to help them by providing the information they need and to console them.
Jessica: Do you recommend the NZ Police as a worthwhile career?
Chris: Yes. I would recommend people join NZ Police. If you are a person who likes a variety of duties and you wish to work for an organisation that will provide career opportunities, then you should make an effort to attend the recruitment seminar.
Jessica: What attributes should one have in order to reach their goal?
Chris: They should have good stress management skills, endurance, good listening skills, maturity and be able to perform under pressure. NZ Police often attend to incidents that can quickly get out of control. We should be able to deal with these situations. We need to be able to listen to victims and witnesses and engage effectively.
The incidents we attend can be stressful, some people may be grieving, some may be angry at us, therefore, we need to be able to manage our stress well to do our job well.
Endurance is also important. The recruitment process is long and there are many assessments to pass. Many face difficulties and give up. In order to become a Police officer, you need to be able to endure all the difficulties and find ways to overcome them.
I would like to thank Constable Byun for sharing. I’m sure his story will encourage Asian people who are considering joining NZ Police.
If you wish to learn more about joining NZ Police, we are having an Auckland Recruitment Seminar on July 9 at the Fickling Center 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings from 10 a.m. to noon. Entrance is free and there is lots of parking. Parents are welcome too.
For those who wish to find out more, search “events” on NEWCOPS.CO.NZ or call me on 021 1920935. I am also available on email at Jessica.phuang@police.govt.nz
The NZ Police is recruiting Asian Police Officers, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to interview Constable Chris Byun from the North Shore Police Station.
Jessica: Why did you wish to join the NZ Police?
Chris: When I was in my second year at Auckland University, I volunteered to join a...
The NZ Police is recruiting Asian Police Officers, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to interview Constable Chris Byun from the North Shore Police Station.
Jessica: Why did you wish to join the NZ Police?
Chris: When I was in my second year at Auckland University, I volunteered to join a programme called Teach and Learn in Korea. It was a programme that was designed and organised by the Korean government to have students in rural areas educated in English by native English speakers for free. Many students in rural areas are poor and do not have enough money for education to catch up with the students in urban areas.
While I was in Korea in an area called Mun Baek in Chung Cheong Buk Do Province for a year and a half, I realised how valuable and important it was to help others in need. Coming back to New Zealand, I heard about opportunities to join the New Zealand Police. I realised that it could be the job where I got to help people on a daily basis. As a Christian, it is also important to me to be able to help others in need.
Jessica: What were the challenges for you when you were going through the recruitment process?
Chris: I did not like exercising. I would rather play computer games and hang out with friends in town. Therefore I was not fit at all. So training for the Physical Competency Test and swimming test was difficult. Also, I was not good at communicating with people that I didn’t know.
Jessica: How did you overcome the challenges?
Chris: At the time, I was an Auckland University student. So the only time for me to train was in the morning. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I ran with a marathon group at AUT Millennium Gym. After the running, I went to the gym and did a bit of weight training.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I did more intense weight training followed by swimming.
To improve my communication skills, I joined the Asian Safety Patrol Group where I got to work with Police Officers from Auckland City District Police, patrolling around Auckland CBD area. Whenever I was patrolling with them I would talk to members of the public and the constables I was working with. By doing so, I got to learn how police interact with the public and I also gained more confidence in my communications.
Jessica: Is there an incident you attended to that was specifically significant to you and why?
Chris: Sometimes Police have to inform family members and friends of a sudden or unexpected death and work together to find out what may have happened. For me, I feel privileged to be able to help them by providing the information they need and to console them.
Jessica: Do you recommend the NZ Police as a worthwhile career?
Chris: Yes. I would recommend people join NZ Police. If you are a person who likes a variety of duties and you wish to work for an organisation that will provide career opportunities, then you should make an effort to attend the recruitment seminar.
Jessica: What attributes should one have in order to reach their goal?
Chris: They should have good stress management skills, endurance, good listening skills, maturity and be able to perform under pressure. NZ Police often attend to incidents that can quickly get out of control. We should be able to deal with these situations. We need to be able to listen to victims and witnesses and engage effectively.
The incidents we attend can be stressful, some people may be grieving, some may be angry at us, therefore, we need to be able to manage our stress well to do our job well.
Endurance is also important. The recruitment process is long and there are many assessments to pass. Many face difficulties and give up. In order to become a Police officer, you need to be able to endure all the difficulties and find ways to overcome them.
I would like to thank Constable Byun for sharing. I’m sure his story will encourage Asian people who are considering joining NZ Police.
If you wish to learn more about joining NZ Police, we are having an Auckland Recruitment Seminar on July 9 at the Fickling Center 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings from 10 a.m. to noon. Entrance is free and there is lots of parking. Parents are welcome too.
For those who wish to find out more, search “events” on NEWCOPS.CO.NZ or call me on 021 1920935. I am also available on email at Jessica.phuang@police.govt.nz
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