Take the test and win an iPodHere’s a run-down of some common misconceptions about the Police:
New Zealand Police will recruit anyone who’s willing
False: New Zealand Police is selective about who it employs. Potential recruits need to be able to demonstrate that they have the right skills and personal attributes that would enable them to be an effective member of staff.
New Zealand Police doesn’t pay for its employees’ tertiary study
False: New Zealand Police pays the total costs for tertiary study that relates to its employees’ occupations.
It’s just about patrolling the streets and catching bad guys.
False: There are a variety of positions that you can enter after working as a probationary constable. You can enter into Youth Education Services, Road Policing, Search & Rescue or Forensics just to name a few.
The variety of positions you can undertake within Police is unlike any other commercial or government organisations. Throughout your career you may take up to 20 different positions in a variety of fields.
Find out more about police careers, or read our profiles of cops that have chosen radically different career paths.
You have to be a certain height to be a cop.
False: There are no height restrictions.
Male recruits are favoured over female recruits.
False: New Zealand Police is aiming to substantially increase the percentage of female sworn officers in the organisation.
Police don’t recruit people over 35
False: There is no upper age limit for recruits. Related life experience and a mature outlook are highly sought after in the police.