Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, minister Mark Mitchell open new police college campus
The Police Commissioner and Police Minister are speaking at the opening of the police college campus in Auckland.
Richard Chambers and Minister Mark Mitchell are joined by Associate Police Minister Casey Costello.
The campus opening comes after controversy over training and admission standards, amid a government committment to recruit 500 more police officers by November.
An audit
into
recruitment standards at the Royal New Zealand Police College
found a significant number of applicants were allowed into the college, despite failing preliminary tests.
A review had revealed than 300 police officers
were not assessed on their swimming abilities before graduating
.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
13 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Customs seize $58.2 million of cocaine at Port of Tauranga
Customs officers seize 150kgs of cocaine. Photo: Customs NZ/Supplied Customs officers seize 150kg of cocaine worth up to $58.2 million from a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga. Officers made the discovery after a risk-assessment as part of standard procedures. The bricks of cocaine were found in six duffel bags marked with an "X", the words "good luck" and a coat of arms bearing the Latin phrase Custodi Civatatem Domine - meaning "Guard the city, O Lord". The container came from Kingston, Jamaica. In the last financial year, Customs officers in Tauranga have intercepted 788 kilograms of cocaine. Photo: Customs NZ/Supplied In the last financial year, Customs officers in Tauranga have intercepted 788 kilograms of cocaine worth a combined estimated street value of $305,744 million. Customs Maritime Manager Robert Smith said New Zealand was constantly targeted by transnational criminal groups. "Their actions are driven by profit, with no concern for the damage they cause to legitimate businesses or to New Zealand's hard-earned reputation on the world stage. Customs Maritime Manager Robert Smith says New Zealand is constantly targeted by transnational criminal groups. Photo: Customs NZ/Supplied "There have been several large seizures at maritime ports this year, and much of this work would not be possible without the support of our strong domestic partnerships and international networks. "These relationships enable us to protect the international supply chain and our communities from organised crime groups who are highly motivated to cause harm," Smith said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
29 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Hopes new Auckland police college campus will attract more recruits
Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel There are hopes a new police college campus in Auckland will help attract more recruits. A class of 40 officers in training; 33 from Auckland and seven from Northland, were welcomed at the opening of the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) campus in Albany on Tuesday morning. They will be the first recruits to do their 20 weeks of police training in Auckland. Previously, the only police college site had been in Porirua, Wellington. Last month, an audit found recruitment standards at the Porirua College were slipping as police tried to meet recruitment targets. Police facility manager Inspector Matt Laurenson said the college's Wellington location had been a deterrent to some police hopefuls in the upper North Island. "Numerous people, particularly those with families concerned about childcare, have been waiting for this opportunity," Inspector Laurenson said. "For recruits and staff to be trained here in Tāmaki Makaurau... it's a good location and it removes a lot of the challenges we've previously had." Recruits from wing 390 at the powhiri for the opening of the new campus in Auckland. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel The new facility leased by Massey University was equipped with dorms, classrooms, a locker room, and storage space, as well as access to the University's gym and recreation facilities. However, Auckland recruits would still have to spend five weeks in Porirua for some aspects of their training. Former Prime Minister Sir John Key was at the campus opening. He said it was an honour to be the patron for the college's first recruit wing. He said expanding police training to the country's most populous city was a step towards the government reaching its target of 500 new officers . "The bulk of the New Zealand population live North of Taupō and being able to attract recruits who otherwise wouldn't be able to come to Wellington for 20 weeks is important," Key said. "For many, their policing will take place in Auckland. It's a progressive step police are taking." He looked forward to his new role supporting the next generation of officers. Speaking at the opening, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said as well as training newbies, the new site leased from Massey University would host senior police courses. "In recent years we have had to provide more senior courses online and in districts to improve efficiency and to free up space for recruit training at RNZPC in Wellington." He said some courses they offered needed to be in-person and a new facility would allow enough space for their growing police force. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
37 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Man allegedly steals ambulance with police officer, paramedic on board in Invercargill
Photo: St John A man has been charged with kidnapping after stealing an ambulance with a police officer and paramedic onboard in Invercargill. The ordeal happened after police were called to assist an ambulance crew dealing with an "agitated person" on Elles Road at 2.25am on Monday, police said. "While a police officer and an ambulance officer were speaking with a man in the back of the ambulance, he jumped into the driver's seat of the ambulance and allegedly began driving," a police spokesperson said. The ambulance travelled for about a block before the police officer was able to stop it. A 20-year-old Invercargill man was taken into custody and charged with two counts of kidnapping, driving while suspended, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop and two counts of resisting police. "Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but there was a risk of serious injury to the people in that ambulance, none of whom were restrained, and a serious risk to the public," acting Southland Area Commander Inspector Matt Scoles said. An investigation into the kidnapping is ongoing.
