In the past ten months New Zealand Police has recruited more staff than in any other full calendar year. At 30 June 2006 Police had 7,763 sworn staff members and this increased to 7,884 at 30 September 2006.
The latest recruitment wing (which commenced its training on 23 October 2006) consists of 75 recruits and brings the total number of recruits for 2006 to 755 meaning Police is on track to reach its target of having 1,000 additional police officers by 2009.
According to Police National Manager of Recruitment and Appointments, Inspector Dawn Bell "The pleasing news is that the increase in numbers has not led to a reduction in standards - a recent New Zealand Police study indicates that 2006 recruits' results in Police entrance tests are (on average) higher than in previous years".
"Police will be launching its recruitment advertising this Sunday (including TV commercials) in order to ensure that the current momentum is built upon and Police recruitment staff have an even greater pool of talent from which recruits can be selected" Inspector Bell said.
Media contact: James Whitaker 027 275 2612