April 24, 2024
Pay gap barrier to police recruitment
Police Association president Chris Cahill is warning the recruitment well could be running dry.
National’s coalition agreement with New Zealand First promises 500 new frontline officers by the end of 2025.
Chris Cahill says Police has become more diverse over the past decade with the number of Māori and other minority groups rising, but entry pay levels are becoming a problem, particularly with trades paying more.
The current pay dispute isn’t helping, and it could leave communities vulnerable.
“It’s becoming difficult in some of the places we need them the most. The Far North, Te Tai Rāwhiti, places like that are really struggling now to get some get some of these recruits so you’re going to have to lift the game there and find ways to really attract the right people we want,” he says.