Who can be a Cop?

NZ POLICE REQUIREMENTS

To be a police officer you need to be a good citizen, over 18 years old upon graduation from the Royal NZ Police College, community-minded, fit, healthy, and bright enough to pass a range of assessments.

Excellent communication skills, loyalty, commitment, and a high level of integrity is essential. Your role can highly influence the lives of many people. Hence it's also vital to be able to make tough judgement calls, establish strong personal relationships, build community networks and instill confidence in the wider community.

As well as responding to crimes, you'll be trained to look at the bigger picture. Solving crime is not just about answering the question ‘who?’ It’s just as important to look at the broader question of ‘why?’. This requires an ability to understand the community you serve and more importantly the ability to identify and examine the problems that lead to crime.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT CULTURES

To better reflect New Zealand’s growing diversity, we are actively seeking applicants with an understanding of different languages and cultures. We welcome applications from everyone who has what it takes, regardless of their culture, faith, gender or sexuality.

INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS POLICE OFFICERS WISHING TO JOIN NZ POLICE

To be eligible for employment with NZ Police you must have NZ Citizenship or have obtained New Zealand Residency and be living in NZ Permanently. For more information about immigration, visit Immigration New Zealand.

You will also need to complete our selection process here in New Zealand. If you are successful, you will then be considered (amongst other applicants) for available positions in your preferred districts, and training at the Royal NZ Police College. Contact NZ Police to register interest via

APPLICATIONS FROM NON-NEW ZEALAND RESIDENTS

If you want to join NZ Police, you must first have New Zealand citizenship or have New Zealand Residency and be living in New Zealand permanently.
Immigration New Zealand will help you with the immigration process. NZ Police are not able to directly assist with the immigration process.

After you have gained New Zealand residency, then you should get started by taking the online seminar. You will undergo the same assessment procedures as New Zealand citizens and as such you will need to be available in New Zealand for all your assessments. As a part of your background clearance process, clearances will have to be undertaken for all countries you have lived in (outside of New Zealand).

The basic five months’ training at the Royal NZ Police College is  intensive and includes study of legal, social and cultural issues. You will also undergo a rigorous physical training programme.