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

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.

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.

Gun killings in NZ have declined the most in an international comparison - even though it has less strict licensing laws than Canada and Australia.

An off-duty police officer has been cleared of allegations he dropped his pants and exposed himself to a mother and her young son.

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.

Hundreds of police cars carry gun safes, and central Auckland officers draw weapons from their vehicles nearly twice a week.

Veteran police dog handler Bruce Lamb is still managing to maintain his sense of humour, despite losing his 'best friend'.

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.