On the Night shift...
I was primed and ready for a rip roaring night of high speed chases, dramatic drug busts and of course tonnes of coffee on my night out with a couple of Wellington Police officers.
I arrived at Johnsonville Police station and met Constable Pete Theobald who has been in the force for nearly three years.
We do a quick tour around the station giving me the chance to snoop at Wellington’s most wanted criminal list and secretly hoping we do not bump into them this evening.
On our way into Wellington central station we pull up a few suspicious drivers but no sign of a high-speed chase yet.
After picking up Constable David Townsend we grab a few takeaway coffees and swap over to a plainclothes police car that is free from the smell of spew.
Constable Townsend came to New Zealand after spending 13 years policing some of London’s less desirable areas.
We cruise around for a bit stopping mostly restricted drivers who are out past their curfew and on the odd occasion with passengers.
While out and about Constable Theobald tells me about his experience in the force and how recently the public perception has changed towards them after the increased attention from the media.
After attending a rowdy teenage party we received a call about teenagers lying on train tracks delaying a train bound for Wellington City.
The teens were not forthcoming with information but the passengers and driver were thankful that they could begin their journey again.
Next minute we got a call out to an abandoned car that was set on fire.
I welcomed the heat from the blaze as it was freezing but luckily no one had been injured and I did get to meet some interesting kids who alerted the Police.
At 3am the gallons of coffee I had drunk throughout the evening stopped working and my eyelids were getting heavy so it as home to my bed for me.
Although my night was not jam packed with dangerous criminals and high risk events I enjoyed seeing Wellington at night and now appreciate even more the job our police officers do.
On the move with Johnsonville Police