Becoming a New Zealand Police Officer with Roelien Du Plessis

Roelien Du Plessis first considered becoming a police officer at just 16 years old. But instead of heading straight into policing, her journey took her through university, elite sport, community rugby and youth mentoring - experiences that ultimately brought her back to the career she had once imagined.

A former Head Girl, representative netballer and rugby player, Roelien studied Human Performance Science at the University of Waikato before building a career creating opportunities for women and girls through Waikato Rugby. Later, while mentoring young people through Blue Light, she realised the impact she wanted to make could lead her somewhere new: the New Zealand Police.

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Roelien takes us behind the scenes of the journey from applicant to probationary constable. She breaks down the recruitment process, psychometric and physical testing, the SCOPE experience, life at the Royal New Zealand Police College, the academic and practical training involved, and what it actually feels like stepping onto the frontline for the first time.

She also talks candidly about confidence, learning under pressure, firearms and driving training, the importance of fitness, working with people through difficult situations, and why being a good police officer is ultimately about far more than enforcing the law. For Roelien, it comes back to helping people - including victims, communities and even those who have made mistakes.

For students considering policing, Roelien’s advice is refreshingly open: develop your people skills, get experience working in a team, look after your fitness, ask questions - and don’t feel pressured to follow anybody else’s timeline. Whether you join at 18 or later in life, the right path is the one that makes sense for you.