Olly Beckett - why he is still smiling after 35 years
Alistair (Olly) Beckett smiles a lot.
This year he’s had at least three reasons to smile.
Police college Training Commander, Superintendent Beckett, received his thirty five year clasp in January, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in March, and also celebrated a significant wedding anniversary.
Olly received his clasp from Police Minister Annette King on 26 January together with 15 colleagues who trained at the Trentham Police Training School in January 1972.
Receiving the clasp, especially as his family were present, was “a very pleasant experience.” He also enjoyed catching up with old friends, members of the Ted Hotham Cadet Wing, and telling a few tall stories. "Lies were told and truths discovered," he says.
Thirty five years ago his career options were either to become an apprentice denture maker or join the police. Rumour, back then, was that he was only accepted because his late father was a police officer, he mentions, with a smile on his face. Policing is definitely in the blood. His father served for 28 years and between Olly, a sister and a brother (who also signed up,) they’ve notched up 69 years of service.
Olly, short for Oliphant by the way, was posted to Auckland Central after his initial training. He moved to the criminal investigation branch and was promoted to Sergeant in March 1979. Olly married Linda, - now a nurse at the Newtown after-hours medical centre, in the same month, whilst stationed in Wanganui. The couple live in Mount Victoria, Wellington with their three children Jared 22, Aidan 19, and Rhiannon (17). At least one child is thinking of joining the police.
The family are extremely tolerant and supportive of his career. “When I go home I’m like a used up toothpaste container” Olly says. He makes time for his family after hours by taking walks with them. They have family time at weekends. The family were present when Olly received his 35 year clasp and also on 28 March when he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Governor-General Anand Satyanand.
Thirty five years have seen a major revolution in policing methods world wide, he says, but “everyone adapts and you don’t seem to notice the change”. Radio, forensic and crash investigation technology, for example, are all highly sophisticated - compared with the technology of the 1970’s, he says.
A sense of humour, resilience and a skin like a rhinoceros are essential to survival in the police. Olly’s sense of humour is never far away. He jokes about the nylon shirts, fashionable in the 1970’s, that stuck to the upholstery of the Holden Kingswoods when officers perspired in the humid Auckland conditions.
Olly has a passionate interest in the IPA, regretting that he hasn’t been more actively involved, though the training college has hosted several international delegations in support of Bruce Hutton, president of the IPA New Zealand section. Olly is especially proud of a large photo mural promoting the IPA at the training college. He organised some trainees to pose in police uniforms from around the world.
Asked about plans for retirement, Olly laughs. He has the same energy levels and enthusiasm he had 35 years ago. He will soon be moving to a 12 month secondment to the State Services Commission performance management branch. He’s keen to start a new challenge but feels a little emotional about leaving his current position. Being Training Commander has, he says, been “a labour of love”.
Olly Beckett and International President Michael Odysseos