The Police Association has rubbished suggestions that police should only pursue drivers in "extreme emergencies".

Domestic violence, from psychological abuse to beatings, is our biggest problem.

Police are targeting a small list of disqualified drink-drivers who have offended at least three times.

A post-mortem examination has found the 19-year-old shot by police in rural Hawkes Bay yesterday died from a gunshot wound.

The prospect of routine imprisonment for drivers who flee from police patrols looms after 16 people died in police pursuits in 2010.

It is inevitable that police officers' access to firearms will increase, Prime Minister John Key says.

More police should have access to handguns while on routine patrol, says Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

All police chases which led to a record 14 deaths this year were sparked by minor offences, rather than serious crimes, figures released to the Herald under the Official Information Act reveal.

A 10-year-old boy says he would have died without the brave actions of an off-duty police officer who pulled him from a burning wreck.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad says New Zealand should remain a routinely unarmed police force - and that is something to be proud of.

The latest deaths brought the total this year to 16, from 11 fatal pursuits - the worst on record.

A victim of several burglaries says he now pauses before asking the police to investigate because it takes them too long to respond.

An ex-cop has blasted police for their response time to burglaries which, he says can leave victims waiting for long periods.