8 Feb 2024

Police recruitment realities for the thin blue line

From Nine To Noon, 9:32 am on 8 February 2024

Police Minister Mark Mitchell, whose honesty about the reality of how long it would take to recruit 500 new police, crashed head on with political realities last week. When Mr Mitchell advised it would be met over three years  - he was forced to u-turn within 24 hours, after the Deputy PM and NZ First leader Winston Peters took up the matter with the Prime Minister.

He talks to Kathryn about this and other challenges including gang violence and intimidation, youth offending, ramraids and retail crime prevention.

48 new officers graduated in the 368 police wing graduation, 27 July 2023

Photo: Supplied/ Police