Great salary and opportunities from the start

You'll earn a great salary and learn valuable skills from day one, and there will be loads of opportunities to branch out into different roles. As a Police Officer, you’ll make a real difference to the lives of people in the community.

How we are tracking, Organisation Insights (3 items)

During your 20 weeks training at the Royal NZ Police College, you’ll be paid:

Annual Salary: $57,594.91
Superannuation subsidy: $5,865.09
Insurance subsidy: $208

Total per year: $63,668

In your first year out of college, you'll get an annual salary of:

Salary: $74,494
Superannuation subsidy: $7,586
Insurance subsidy: $208
PCT payment: $977

Regular income: $83,266

The average annual salary for an officer working in their fifth year is:

Salary: $81,771
Superannuation subsidy: $8,328
Insurance subsidy: $208
PCT payment: $977

Regular income: $91,284

 
 

Make a real difference to NZ

You’ll be responsible for preventing and solving crime and helping people when they need it most. This is your chance to make a real difference in your community and to New Zealand.

Learning on the job

Once you graduate from college, your learning continues as you undertake an on-the-job development programme that can take up to two years. This programme will help you develop while you’re working by applying the skills you have learned in your initial training and may give you the opportunity to experience other roles such as road and community policing.

More career choices

There are over 30 areas of policing that you can work in. Once you complete your on-the-job training programme, you can look at gaining experience in other workgroups, joining a specialist squad, moving into a new career path or continuing your development as a specialist frontline responder. Click here to find out more.

A team of mates

Being part of the Police comes with an important sense of belonging. You’ll make lasting friendships with people who believe in the same qualities of loyalty, commitment, integrity, and fairness as you do. You can count on them for support, encouragement, and to have your back.

Fitness for life

As a Police Officer, you’ll be encouraged to be at your physical best. It’s a role that will keep both your mind and body active. Most police districts have gym facilities available, and you’ll benefit from lots of ongoing training and development opportunities too.

Balancing your life

You’ll balance leisure time, family life and work. We offer flexible employment opportunities and rostered hours that create more flexibility and time off than most other careers. All probationary constables and most Police Officers work on a rostered basis.

There are usually three shifts

  • 6:30am to 3:30pm
  • 1:30pm to 11:30pm
  • 10:30pm to 6:30am

Police Officers usually get 3-4 days a week off, rather than just two. With a bit of planning, you can get more time for recreation and whānau than in other careers.

Police Officers typically accrue 42 days paid leave from the first year out of college, increasing to 45 days from the fifth year of service. This includes the normal entitlement to public holidays, although these often need to be worked so the leave is available to be taken as alternative days.  You'll also receive hour for hour leave to compensate for any overtime that may be required, and there are additional leave types for specific situations.

The latest mobile tech

You’ll always have the latest in mobile technology, and these devices come installed with specialised police applications.