[BadlyDrawnGirl]

I was wondering if there was anyone on the forums who is either a NZ cop or is married to one (since the NZ Police were at one point doing WTR sponsorship, especially for UK cops, I thought there might be one or two here who had gone over on that route). My OH actually originally went to New Zealand with the intention of joining the cops - he spent three years in the British army and his dream career is definitely police work. Of course, when he got to New Zealand, he was promptly told to shove off (not precisely in those terms of course, but that was what it felt like to us!) and that since he wasn't a resident, they couldn't take him, nor would they sponsor him since the WTR salary requirements had gone up to $55K and their starting salary was only $50K.

Now, hopefully once (if!) we get PR he will be able to finally join them. So I was just wondering what others thought about the job, what the pay/benefits are like, hours, assignments, how they choose which part of the country you end up in, and anything that might be useful for us to know. Cheers!

[emaino]

No info here... but I´m really interested in any response. My wife wants to join the NZ Police next year.

[Tomsk]

My hubby is in NZ Police, he started here in Feb 08 after something like 26 years service in the UK police. I think he initially found adapting a bit difficult, and still has a few minor grumbles about paperwork etc, but overall more positives than negatives I'd say. Unfortunately he's away on a fishing trip for a few days so I can't ask him any specific questions right now, but will happily do so after he returns if you'd like.

[walshy]

If you live in Wellington do you have to stay at the base when you train? Or could you commute every day as i fancy it, but couldnt leave the family for 12 odd weeks

[the bebers]

My husband is in the process of joining the police in NZ. He's 38 and never been a police officer before, but is a NZ resident. The process has taken ages. You have to start with going to an open evening and in Christchurch they don't hold many so he had to wait until April for that. Then there are numerous tests/stages to go through and he's still awaiting the final stage which he hopes to get closed by the end of this year. Then it's a 2 year waiting list before they anticipate a position will arise in CH for a new recruit. So a very long process, esp if you live in an area without an immediate demand. The starting pay isn't that high (about $50K) and whilst training in Wellington it's even lower (about $35K). Hopefully it'll all be worth it. Good luck.

[jmc]

If you take a look on www.newcops.co.nz that should be a good start. It has all the pay info and details of the recruitment process.
Good luck :nice1

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

My husband is in the process of joining the police in NZ. He's 38 and never been a police officer before, but is a NZ resident. The process has taken ages. You have to start with going to an open evening and in Christchurch they don't hold many so he had to wait until April for that. Then there are numerous tests/stages to go through and he's still awaiting the final stage which he hopes to get closed by the end of this year. Then it's a 2 year waiting list before they anticipate a position will arise in CH for a new recruit. So a very long process, esp if you live in an area without an immediate demand. The starting pay isn't that high (about $50K) and whilst training in Wellington it's even lower (about $35K). Hopefully it'll all be worth it. Good luck.
Wow, I didn't realise there would be a waiting list!! Is that in order to be posted to a specific area, or would that be the case even if he was willing to be posted anywhere? As we understand it, most of the new recruits are posted to Auckland, which would be fine for us since I'll probably be in school there anyway.

That really doesn't make sense to me, since when I was working for the Police (in an admin role at their headquarters in Wellington) they were always talking about understaffing issues and how they were crying out for new recruits!! I don't get it...?

[Jaq1978]

Have a look at www.police-forum.com it has some useful information.

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

Um, for some reason, every time I check that site, the only thing I can see is the News subsection? I can't actually see any posts. :confused: And yes, I am logged in...

[leachio]

Hi Sarah

I am the wife of a UK/NZ/UK cop. Been to NZ and retured home, not police ralated. Any Q's just pm me. :)