About a Police Force

  Building Blocks…The New Zealand Police Service

The land from down under, New Zealand's culture that melds European culture with Maori ancestry has been a subject of fascination the world over. It is known for its seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. The country became an independent dominion from British rule in 1907.

A historical perspective

The arrival of British Governor Hobson in 1840 heralded the establishment of a police force. Police magistrates exercised their power to appoint selected men to act as Police. Six years later, on 9 October, 1846, an ordinance for the establishment and maintenance of a constabulary force was passed.

The Act described the police force as "a sufficient number of fit and able men who would serve as an 'armed force' for preserving the peace and preventing robberies and other felonies and apprehending offenders against the peace."

The Gold Rushes of the 1860s in Otago and Canterbury meant Police often had a difficult time in maintaining law and order. The year 1867 saw the Armed Constabulary join in the fight against crime along with the Police. The Police Act of 1886 established New Zealand's first national, civil police force under the leadership of Sergeant John who was the country's first non-commissioned police officer.

In 1958, a new Police Act was passed in which the word 'force' was removed, thus naming it as the New Zealand Police.

Vision and Mission The vision is to build " safer communities together" The mission is to serve the community by: reducing the incidence and effects of crime; detecting and apprehending offenders; maintaining law and order and enhancing public safety.

Newzealand Police Source: Google /images

Management Team

The chief executive of Police known as the Commissioner is appointed by the Governor General and reports to the Minister of Police. The total staff of the Police is pegged at 8,800; 7,000 police officers and 1800 support staff.

The breakdown of police officers in the respective ranks is as follows:

• 75 percent are Constables
• 15 percent are Sergeants
• 5 percent are Senior Sergeants
• 5 percent are Inspectors and above

The year 2005 will see 63 new police officers graduating from the Royal New Zealand Police College i.e. 40 male and 23 female.

Decisions on strategy, governance and performance management are made by the Commissioner and two Deputy Commissioners who collectively constitute the Board of Commissioners. The Board is supported by a team of advisers, including the General Managers of Finance, Public Affairs, Planning and Policy, Cultural Affairs, and Human Resources/Organisational Development. An external Maori representative is part of this group.

A Commissioners' Support Group, headed by an Assistant Commissioner, provides executive support and oversight to the Commissioner, the Board and the Minister of Police. Maintaining the integrity and reputation of New Zealand Police is part of this group's work.

Nationally, the New Zealand Police is organised into 12 districts, which are administered from the Office of the Police Commissioner in Wellington. There are three operational branches:

• General Duties sectional staff
• Criminal Investigation
• Traffic Safety

The New Zealand Police also has an administrative and specialist support group for the forensic services.

The Maori Initiative

The Commissioner of Police has convened a Maori Focus Forum with Maori leaders to promote initiatives aimed at educating Maori representation in the criminal justice sector and improving Police relationships with Maori.

The Treaty of Waitangi dictates the functioning of the Forum and also the policing in a way that embraces the often marginalised Maori community.

Under Article One:

• Improve Police & Maori capability to address Maori issues as a requirement of 'Good Government'.
• Contribute to the building of community capability through the development of a partnership with Maori.

Under Article Two, recognise and acknowledge local Maori particularly on the matters of property rights, user rights and development rights, and natural resources and assets in the current ownership of the Crown.

Under Article Three, develop partnership and consultation strategies which focus on all Maori, their special characteristics and needs, particularly in relation to the reduction of offending, re-offending, victimisation and road trauma.

Develop policies and services which recognise the diverse Maori social and cultural reality. Integrate both Treaty principles and Maori values into strategies which reduce Maori over-representation as offenders or victims.

History as it stands today

The New Zealand Police Museum collects evidence of their history in action. Historical objects and original evidence are used in displays that tell the story of the formation of New Zealand's Police as well as their challenging role in areas such as drug and alcohol enforcement. Many major historical events also feature, including the 1913 strikes, 1981 Springbok Tour, the Erebus plane disaster and the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.