Police, under fire recently for their recruitment standards, say sponsoring an Auckland rugby competition may lead them to fit, quick-thinking recruits.
They will spend around $40,000 a year for the next three years sponsoring the Auckland secondary schools' 1st XV competition, involving 28 teams.
New Zealand police recruitmentmarketing manager James Whitaker said it was a first for the police in terms of sponsoring a sporting competition.
"We see this sponsorship as a great vehicle to promote the NZ police as a career option to a large number of school leavers.
"It also provides us with an excellent opportunity to form a relationship with this age group in a positive sporting environment."
He said there was a "natural alignment" in the deal.
"We need people who are fit and able to think on their feet ... "
But National's police spokesman Chester Borrows doesn't like the idea.
"It's a shame when police have to resort to sponsoring a rugby tournament ... to attract recruits."
He said the money could be better spent in other areas, to help turn lives around.
"If you asked a lot of the youth aid officers around the country, they could nominate all sorts of great youth justice projects," he said.
Mr Whitaker said police might look at other sporting sponsorships but would evaluate the Auckland Rugby Union deal first.
"If this works well, which it should, we might well take up netball in another year or two, but we don't want to squander funds, just hoping that it all goes well."
He said it was common for armies and police forces overseas to build relationships with universities and different sporting organisations.
"It tends to work well for them. We are in New Zealand, so rugby seemed an obvious one."
ARU chief executive Andy Dalton welcomed the partnership.
"We're extremely grateful to the NZ police for signing up with us and throwing their support behind this age group in an environment that, like New Zealand police, promotes commitment, determination and fair play."
An independent report into police recruitment standards recently found that while some areas needed improvement, police were not doing badly.
The report was ordered by Police Minister Annette King after two conflicting inquiries - one showing declining recruitment standards and the other showing high standards.
