NEW ZEALAND POLICE : 0800 NEW COPS (0800 639 2677)

FAQs

Useful Pages

FAQs
Any Questions?

Any Questions? Want to know something about joining the police? Chances are the answer is already on our FAQ page, so check it out.

If the information you're after isn't there yet, ask us on Facebook and we'll give you a straight answer.

  1. What are the age requirements?
    You must be 18 at the time of graduation from the Royal New Zealand Police College. There is no maximum age restriction.
     
  2. I’ve had some speeding tickets, can I still join the NZ police?
    You may be able to enter the Royal New Zealand Police College with some minor convictions (e.g. traffic offences). Backgrounds are considered via our offence clearance process. To begin the offence clearance process you must write a letter of explanation, which is then followed up by an interview with a recruitment staff member.
     
  3. What activities outside police could I take up that will make me a better NZ police applicant?
    Activities that exercise the mind and body will help make you a better applicant. This would include study, using computers and other forms of technology, and taking part in activities that improve your strength and fitness. A lot of police work involves working with others so activity that improves your communication and interaction skills would also be useful.
     
  4. Can I do work experience with NZ Police?
    All new recruits are required to undertake SCOPE. Through SCOPE candidates accompany frontline staff for 40 hours - this acts as a form of work experience and will give you a good opportunity to see the sort of work that is carried out by NZ Police.
     
  5. What is the selection process?
    Attend a recruitment seminar or view it online here. Upon completion you will fill out an application/registration form
    Take part in a testing day where you'll complete assessments in abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning, psychological profiling physical appraisal test (PAT)
    Attend a formal interview with a recruitment officer SCOPE (spending time with police staff while they undertake their shifts)
    Reference checks
    Select your posting preference
    Final medical examination
    Conditional acceptance letter
    Call-up to the Royal New Zealand Police College
    Final Physical Competency Test (PCT)
     
  6. Will my application be rejected if I, or one of my friends or relatives, has a conviction?
    Not necessarily, every applicant is considered on a case by case basis. As part of the application process, thorough background checks and home visits are undertaken, and every applicant is assessed according to his or her own merit.
     
  7. Do I need to be able to swim?
    Applicants need to be able to pass our swimming test which involves:
    Swimming 50 metres within 54 seconds
    Treading water for 5 minutes
    Duck Diving 3 metres to retrieve a rubber brick.
    Candidates who are undertaking their testing in Auckland must have obtained their swimming certificate before they attend testing day.
     
  8. Can I still join the police if I wear contact lenses or glasses?
    You may still be able to join the police if you wear eye glasses or contact lenses. Applicants must have good eyesight, defined as a minimum visual standard of 6/12 unaided in each eye, correctable to 6/6 with contact lenses. There are no exceptions to this.
     
  9. What assessments are required before entering the Royal NZ Police College?
    You will be required to do assessments in:
    English Abstract reasoning
    Personality profile
    Physical appraisal test (PAT) (run, press ups, jumps and squeeze test)
    Physical competency test (PCT)
    SCOPE (40 Hours Frontline)
    Before entering the police college, you must have:
    At least a restricted drivers license and must have a full New Zealand Drivers License at the time of graduation.
    Defensive drivers certificate
    First aid certificate
    Swimming certificate
    Typing (25 wpm) & computer skills test.
    Your recruitment officer will help you to access information about these individual courses, or you can learn more about the police entry requirements here.

  10. When is the next recruitment seminar?
    Seminars are held regularly in many locations around New Zealand, and weekly in Auckland. For details about the next seminar in your area call 0800 NEWCOPS, or register for the next seminar here.

  11. What's your policy regarding applicants with drink driving charges?
    NZ Police will not recruit people for police officer positions if they have any drink driving convictions. People who have been acquitted of drink driving charges will be carefully considered on a case by case basis.
     
  12. Once I've passed the assessments and entry requirements, how long would I have to wait before I can go to the Royal NZ Police College?
    When opportunities do arise, recruitment staff will select the most appropriate candidates from the pool of potential recruits who are available at the time. You will be considered amongst other potential recruits as soon as you have passed the recruitment assessments and completed the recruitment process.
     
  13. Will I get paid while I train at Royal NZ Police College?
    Yes, you would be paid $35,419.02 gross per annum (total package $39,234.09), during the 19 weeks training period. This translates to $1,358.53 gross per fortnight.
     
  14. Can I return home while I train at Royal NZ Police College?
    Yes, you can return home most weekends, however there will be some weekends where you will be required to stay at the college.
     
  15. Are there childcare facilities at the Royal NZ Police College?
    There are no childcare or accommodation facilities for your family, however, you will be able to go home most weekends to visit your family.
     
  16. How much would I earn when I start?
    Upon graduation you will earn a salary of $51,815.15 per annum (gross) and be entitled to a total package of $58,004.
     
  17. Would I have to do shift work, if so what are the rosters?
    All probationary constables (Royal NZ Police College graduates) and most police officers work on a rostered basis. There are typically three shifts; 6:30am to 3:30pm, 1:30pm to 11:30pm and 10:30pm to 6:30am. The length of the shifts is balanced somewhat by the fact that officers commonly get 3-4 days off rather than two. Working groups work various shifts within a five week (39 day) period with 26 days at work and 13 days off.
     
  18. Can I go straight into forensics/dog handling?
    Once you have finished training at the Royal New Zealand Police College there is a period of two years where you will be required to work as a probationary constable for two years. Once you have completed this requirement, you are able to branch off into a specialised area.
     
  19. Can I choose where I get posted?
    Yes.