New Zealand Police Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa (Māori) | |
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Motto | "Safer Communities Together" |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1886[n 1] |
Employees | ![]() |
Annual budget | Total budget for 2023/2024[1]![]() |
Jurisdictional structure | |
National agency | New Zealand |
Operations jurisdiction | New Zealand |
Size | 268,021 km2 (103,483 sq mi) |
Population | 5,223,100[2] (June 2023 est.) |
Governing body | New Zealand Government |
Constituting instrument | |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Overseen by | Independent Police Conduct Authority |
Headquarters | 180 Molesworth Street, Wellington 6011 |
41°16′24″S 174°46′42″E / 41.2734°S 174.7782°E | |
Sworn members | 10,757[1] |
Unsworn members | 4,658[1] |
Minister responsible | |
Agency executive | |
Services | 31
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Districts | 12
|
Facilities | |
Stations | 327 |
Website | |
www |
The New Zealand Police (Māori: Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa)[n 2] is the national police service and principal law enforcement agency of New Zealand, responsible for preventing crime, enhancing public safety, bringing offenders to justice, and maintaining public order. With over 15,000 personnel,[4] it is the largest law enforcement agency in New Zealand and, with few exceptions, has primary jurisdiction over the majority of New Zealand criminal law. The New Zealand Police also has responsibility for traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement as well as other key responsibilities including protection of dignitaries, firearms licensing, and matters of national security.
Policing in New Zealand was introduced in 1840, modelled on similar constabularies that existed in Britain at that time. The constabulary was initially part police and part militia. By the end of the 19th century policing by consent was the goal. The New Zealand Police has generally enjoyed a reputation for mild policing, but there have been cases when the use of force was criticised, such as during the 1981 South Africa rugby union tour of New Zealand and the United States.
The current minister of police is Mark Mitchell. While the New Zealand Police is a government department with a minister responsible for it, the commissioner and sworn members swear allegiance directly to the sovereign and, by convention, have constabulary independence from the government of the day.
The New Zealand Police is perceived to have a minimal level of institutional corruption.[5][6]
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