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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The new
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
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
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.)