New Zealand Police will soon offer training opportunities for new recruits in Auckland, aiming to meet the growing demand for officers in the city.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers made the announcement ahead of running in the Auckland Round the Bays event on Sunday, emphasising the significance of the move in enhancing local recruitment efforts.

The new Auckland training base, in addition to the existing Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC), is a key step towards the government’s goal of increasing the number of officers by 500.

“Having a training wing open in Auckland is an important part of our plan,” said Commissioner Chambers. “It will increase our training capacity and open the doors for even more quality applicants.”

The decision to establish a training centre in Auckland is in response to feedback from potential recruits who found it difficult to commit to the RNZPC due to the requirement of being away from home for 20 weeks.

This new location will allow recruits to train closer to their communities, enabling them to feel more connected to the areas they will serve upon graduation.

“This will open the door to their dream job that might not otherwise have been possible,” Commissioner Chambers added.

“Recruits can now stay at home during their training, making it easier for them to balance personal and professional commitments.”

The Auckland base will also serve as a hub for senior courses, ensuring that recruits can progress quickly through the system.

The Police are confident that the new base will help speed up the recruitment process, with the median time between application and starting training at RNZPC already reduced by more than 90 days in the past year.

From tomorrow, prospective recruits can specify their preference for Auckland training when applying online via Newcops.govt.nz

The exact location of the new facility is still being finalised and will be announced shortly.

Chambers also revealed that the number of applicants has surged, with 5,277 applications received from July to December 2024 — more than double the number from the same period in 2023.

“We’re making our recruitment process more agile and fit-for-purpose,” he said, noting the successful update of the application criteria and the popularity of the recruitment campaigns, including the return of the iconic 90s advertisement.

The Police’s focus on increasing recruitment and expanding the talent pool is part of their ongoing commitment to ensuring public safety and reducing crime.

The new Auckland training base is a vital part of this effort, with Police determined to meet their goal of adding 500 new officers to the force.

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