Police officer proposes to his boyfriend at officer graduation ceremony

A police officer in New Zealand surprised his boyfriend – by popping the question to him while graduating from the police academy.

Constable Erik Meechan, of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, took the opportunity during his graduation from training to surprise partner Matty Judd.

Judd attended the ceremony along with the couple’s family and friends, thinking he was there to cheer his boyfriend of five years.

Constable Erik Meechan and Matty Judd (NZ Police)

But he looked stunned as Meechan interrupted proceedings to ask him to step forward.

Meechan then dropped to one knee and proposed. Judd said yes, to cheers from the crowd – including Police Commissioner Mike Bush and Police Minister Stuart Nash, who were among the first to offer their congratulations.

The newly-graduated police officer said: “I just wanted it to be a bit special, a bit different. That’s a goal achieved.

“My usual style would be to have done it at home while we were watching a movie or something but graduation is a very special event that means a lot to us.”

Judd added: “We’ve talked about it for a while but it’s one of those things that will always be a surprise.

“He’s normally very reserved – I’m much more likely to do something extravagant.

“I think he wanted to do something extravagant that I would appreciate. And I did!”