KEY POINTS:
* Starting salary: $47,600 (total annual package $53,305)
* Career prospects: Wide choice of roles, career advancements and travel opportunities within the force
* Contact: Ph 0800newcops, text the word "cops" to 332, website: newcops.co.nz
* There are nine intakes into the college throughout the year. Police recruits are paid a salary of $32,619 while training.
* Prerequisites: You've got to be a good person, fit and bright.
Police careers cover a range of duties and assignments. That diversity is highlighted in one of the New Zealand Police's television commercials. The policeman featured has worked as a rural constable, in the homicide team, as a community constable, policed the America's Cup and worked in Sudan with the UN.
Recruits start their climb up the police career ladder with 19 weeks' study at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.
As well as police studies, with a major part of the course covering criminal law and practical exercises, the college curriculum has a wide scope and recruits learn everything from advanced driving to firearms handling, self-defence and how to communicate with and help people in stressful situations.
Once training is completed, college graduates work as probationary constables for two years. During this time, they need to demonstrate competency in 10 key workplace areas and pass a Victoria University distance course (introduction to criminal law and problem solving).
Supervisors monitor constables' performances and their competence is evaluated by an independent workplace assessor. All probationary constables and most police officers work on a rostered basis. Typical shifts are 6.30am to 3.30pm, 1.30pm to 11.30pm and 10.30pm to 6.30am. The length of the shifts is balanced by getting three or four days off rather than two.
After the initial two years have been completed, officers can branch off into specialised areas such as CIB, youth education, dog squads or overseas deployments.
THE GRADUATE
Rhonda Reid, 41
Front line constable, Otahuhu Police Station
I joined the police in October 2005, graduating from the Police College in March 2006.
I had been working for the police in a non-sworn capacity for 18 years as an office clerk and watchhouse manager.
It seemed natural to become a sworn officer because I am familiar with police processes and enjoy the job. Plus, I felt I needed a challenge and a change.
At police college, we learnt classroom theory in criminal law and practical exercises, firearms training, driver training that focused on driving safely at high speeds, how to handle difficult situations and criminal behaviour, and maintaining a high fitness level.
There are so many support mechanisms at the college that it seems unfair to miss anyone out.
If I had to choose a particular event that stands out it would be graduation day because friends and family are included in a day that reinforces a sense of pride and professionalism.
I am a front-line police officer, attached to the Youth Action Team in Otahuhu. This squad is made up of a sergeant and five front-line constables. We work 10-hour shifts four days on, with three days off.
In policing, you become more aware of various cultures, beliefs and values held by different people in the community; so you develop strong communication skills.
You also learn to be more assertive because you need to obtain compliance in certain situations. I have learnt to be more appreciative of non-sworn staff at the police station because, without their help, my paperwork would get out of control.
I have 18 months' service, so my immediate goal is to complete my work place assessments and achieve permanent appointment. I would like to eventually join the CIB.
I think being a police officer is the best job in the world. Each day is different and there is nothing more rewarding than helping someone to overcome a difficult situation.
THE EMPLOYER
James Whitaker, marketing manager, recruiting, NZ Police
Rhonda's qualities are numerous but the main ones include honesty, common sense, tenacity and a team spirit. Those are all qualities that we look for in a potential recruit.
To be a police officer you need to be a good citizen, more than 18 years old upon graduation from police college, community-minded, fit, healthy, and
bright enough to pass a range of assessments.
The police college provides the theoretical training people need before they can go out there and get some on-the-job education.
New Zealand police staff are encouraged to constantly extend themselves and to move through the ranks and different sections of the organisation (spending some time working as a community constable, then a stint in the dog squad and so on). NZ Police pays the full cost of tertiary education linked to police work.
