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Image New Zealand Police
When Angie Keen isn’t at work as a constable for New Zealand Police, she’s focussing her attention on her multisport ambitions. Originally from Wellington, Angie is now based in Rotorua, having spent her first five years in Police in Taranaki.
Over the past few years, Angie has competed in triathlon at a national and international level, representing New Zealand at multiple world championship events. She credits her coach, Graham Park, who has been training her for the past five years, for her success – which includes three top ten finishes and five podium finishes at events in the USA, Canada, Denmark and Spain.
One of Angie’s major achievements this year was in May, when she was crowned Cross Triathlon 35 – 39 World Champion at the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Ibiza, Spain.
In September Angie competed in in the Super Sprint Triathlon and Aquabike events in Pontevedra, also in Spain. and came home with another two World Championship titles (35- 39 age group). So it’s been a pretty successful year for the police officer and athlete!
Angie feels really well supported by Police, through Police Sport, an organisation which very actively fosters both participation and high performance sport amongst its members, as well as by her Supervisors and team.
Although Angie names triathlon as her main sport, she’s also had success at National and Trans-Tasman level in surf boat rowing, and was a member of the Wellington Titahi Bay Open Women’s surf boat crew for two seasons, in 2018 and 2019. During these two seasons, the crew won multiple national titles and represented Surf Life Saving New Zealand at the annual Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge in 2019.
Policing and high-level athletic endeavours go hand in hand. If you’re a triathlete, you already have the internal grit and drive to overcome challenges – especially those that seem to arise out of nowhere, at a moment’s notice. Having to dig really deep to achieve the best possible outcome is something that is relevant to both sport and work, says Angie.
Being a police officer isn’t for everyone, but if you’re someone like Angie who likes setting themselves goals such as the challenge of Everesting, a bikepacking mission, gravel racing or an Ultra, you’ll understand the value of mentally and physically reaching your limit and not giving up. If this sounds you, a career with New Zealand Police is the perfect match.
Go to newcops.govt.nz to apply.