Waikato Times
January 29, 1999

Marae salutes youngest officer for top job
by Te Anga Nathan


Meet our new police boss.

From street cop to waikato police district manager, Clint Rickards - at 38 - is the country's youngest police boss.

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Waikato's top policeman Clint Rickards was welcomed home to his family marae in a ceremony in Kawhia yesterday.

The new Waikato district manager was escorted by Ngati Porou Maori leaders and former colleagues from Gisborne police -- where he recently served as Gisborne's district commander -- on to Mokai Kainga marae.

The country's youngest police chief, 38, who has ties to Tainui sub-tribe Ngati Hikairo, was overwhelmed by the welcome and keen to establish partnerships to tackle crime.

"I've come from Gisborne where I've been well supported by Ngati Porou. If I can get half that support here in the Waikato, then we can make some major changes."

Mr Rickards, who was born and bred in Rotorua, joined the police force as an 18-year-old cadet.

Over the past 20 years he's worked his way up from policing on the street to stints in CIB, before becoming Gisborne's district commander.

Along the way he's gained a Masters degree in public policy from Sydney's Charles Sturt University. He has a business degree in human resources.

He aims to complete a doctorate in public policy and a diploma in Maori development this year. "So I've worked hard for what I've got. It hasn't come easy."

Two areas that he wants to concentrate on include making the police more visible and developing proactive programmes.

Among the well-wishers yesterday was Mr Rickard's 94-year-old grandmother, Nora Pikia. The Tainui kuia, who speaks only Maori, said she was proud of her grandson's achievements.

"He tangata humarie, He pai ona whakaaro." (He's a humble person, who can think strategically.)