Want to know something about joining the police? Chances are the answer is already on our Looking for professional development? After working as a probationary constable for two years you'll have a vast number of different police jobs and career pathways open to you.
You can decide to remain as a General Duties Constable, study for promotions and leadership positions or specialise in a variety of areas. Browse through the list to find out about some of the specialist units within NZ Police.
NZ POLICE CAREERS
- Armed Offenders Squad
- Air Support Observation
Air Support Observation (Eagle) is NZ Police's eye in the sky in Auckland. Eagle helps police officers on the ground to track fleeing vehicles and offenders. They also assist with special operations which benefit from the quick transportation and access possibilities that the helicopter provides.
- CIB
- Commercial Vehicle Unit
- Child Abuse Team
The Child Abuse Team works with children (and their families) as well as a range of police units and other agencies to investigate and combat child abuse.
- Deployments
- Dog Handling
- Diplomatic Protection Squad
- Dive Squad
- Evaluation Unit
- Financial Intelligence Unit
- Forensics, Family Safety Team
- General Duties
- Highway Patrol
- Interpol
- International Services
Through International Services, NZ Police staff work in a range of countries including Tonga, The Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Afghanistan. NZ Police works with other organisations in these countries to maintain local law and order and enhance the skills of local police.
- Kaitakawaenga Liaison (Ethnic Liaison)
- Licensing and Vetting
- Marine Unit
- National Dive Squad
- Organised Crime Unit
- Prosecutions
Police prosecutors present NZ Police's case during court proceedings, analyse files, manage diversion, negotiate outcomes, undertake legal research, provide training for operational staff, and act in many types of courts including the Coroner's Court and Youth Court.
- Road Policing Support
- Search & Rescue
- Serious Crash Investigation unit
Members of the Serious Crash Investigation Unit identify the cause of serious crashes through the processes of evidence gathering, mechanical investigation, forensic testing and witness and victim involvement.
- Strategic Intelligence Unit
The main objective of the new Strategic Intelligence Unit (SIU) is to increase New Zealand's capability and understanding of the domestic and international security environment. The unit will provide strategic and tactical intelligence on terrorism. It will also provide intelligence on complex national and transnational criminal activities that potentially impact the national security of New Zealand and other countries. These activities include people smuggling, identity document fraud and money laundering.
- Strategic Traffic Unit
By focusing on reducing drink and drugged driving, speeding and fatigued driving, members of the Strategic Traffic Unit work to reduce crashes and crash related injuries and fatalities.
- Special Tactics Group
The Special Tactics Group (STG) deals with armed incidents beyond the capability of the Armed Offender Squads, and provides protection to high risk persons. STG staff also collect information about criminal activities.
- Team Policing
Team policing units police in a pro-active and preventative fashion by visiting public places, drinking establishments and events which attract gatherings of people in order to ensure liquor laws are upheld and people behave in a peaceful and orderly fashion.
- VIP Protection Squad
- Youth Education
- Neighbourhood Policing Team
- Youth Aid Section
Members of NZ Police's Youth Aid Section work with youth who may have committed an offence in order to find positive alternatives to re-offending.
"As a cop, you don't lose who you are, you use who you are to help people." 