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After 14 years in the kitchen, Arthur Vidal has traded his chef’s whites for police blues and exchanging one type of service for another.
Having graduated from the Royal NZ Police College, Vidal is set to serve in south Auckland. However, he is used to embracing change after leaving his hometown of Fortaleza, Brazil, more than a decade ago.
“I’m a huge believer that we can change and learn until we die,” he says. “There is no such thing as being too old to change.”
Bringing a fresh perspective to the force, Vidal says his experience as an immigrant has deepened his appreciation for New Zealand.
“Unfortunately, in Brazil if you’re a cop your salary is really low and you’re always at high risk because all the criminals have guns,” he says. “[New Zealand] is not a perfect country, but it’s still really good if you compare it to Brazil – most people here still hold the police in high regard and respect.”
While the comparison makes New Zealand’s crime seem relatively tame, Vidal says the difference has only reinforced his motivation to keep the country safe.
“When you’re not from here you see all these beautiful scenes and videos about New Zealand, but you don’t really see the real stuff that’s behind the curtain,” he says.
“This is now my home and my family is here, so it’s in my own interests to try to help make it a safer place. My son is going to be growing up here and if it’s safer for him, and it’s safer for everyone else, then I’ll be happy.”
Long before he stepped into a constable’s role, Vidal was already testing his limits through swimming, running and martial arts, developing the resilience and discipline he would later rely on during police training.
Now wearing the uniform, Vidal is spending his first few months serving the communities of south Auckland, where he hopes to move the needle, one person at a time.
“If I can make a difference in someone’s life, that will be super meaningful to me.”
