NZ First reach deal on police numbers

The Government and New Zealand First have agreed that their post-election deal for 1000 more police will provide frontline, sworn officers.

Last week, Labour and NZ first discussed whether the provision in the parties' agreement to provide "1000 police staff" in the next three years meant "frontline" personnel, "sworn" officers or "non-sworn" staff.

The confusion was the first glitch in the confidence and supply agreement the parties signed last month.

Police Minister Annette King said yesterday that the 1000 frontline police would include 250 community constables who would be working as frontline officers.