Detectives are trying to piece together the secret life of a police officer who was stabbed to death in his home last weekend.

A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of an off-duty police officer.

An off-duty police officer stabbed to death in his own home appears to have known his attacker but police will not comment on whether the accused killer was a relative.

Cops are being told "anything goes" when it comes to protecting themselves against dangerous and violent offenders.

Police investigations are being stretched as bosses force their officers to take annual leave - $200m worth.

Steven Joyce scrapped a planned crackdown on professional car thieves despite support from the Justice Ministry and police.

The Police Minister says media reporting on police conduct has caused a drop in respect for the force.

The family of a man shot dead by a high-powered air rifle is welcoming a policy change that will see all those with such weapons requiring a firearms licence.

Police are defending the effectiveness of Taser stun guns after they failed to subdue armed offenders in two separate incidents in the past week.

A narrow majority of people now favour the police carrying guns at all times.

A decorated policeman who played a key role in putting RSA triple-murderer William Bell behind bars was let off after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Three police officers are facing charges over allegations of assaults done on duty, including a case in which an alleged victim was injured so badly he lost a testicle.

Police racked up more than $2.5m of charges on business credit cards last year, including stays at luxury hotels, restaurant dinners and taxi rides.

The country's 8654 sworn police officers have been warned to beware of becoming corrupted with the growth of organised criminal gangs.

Knives, clubs, large rocks, bottles and an axe were recovered from the scene where a man become the first person to be tasered in the South Island.