Police are right up to staffing targets for the financial year ending tomorrow, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lyn Provost said today.
"Contrary to speculation that we would be hundreds under target we are in fact two sworn staff and 27 non-sworn staff over target.
"This means that there are 191 more sworn police officers in the service than there were a year ago and 225 more non-sworn members. Staff numbers total 7557 police officers and 2542 non-sworn giving a grand total of 10,099.
"It puts us in a very good position going into the new year when we'll commence recruiting the first of the three year additional allocations. These will increase sworn staff by a further 1000 and non-sworn staff by 250 on top of attrition replacements.
"Over the next 12 months we'll be seeking to recruit 700 new police officers.
We will be stepping up our recruitment effort throughout the new financial year, particularly in the Auckland market.
"Today's announcement around actual numbers already on the job should give confidence to potential recruits that they will be joining a thriving and growing team of dedicated professionals," said Mrs Provost.
ENDS