New Zealand Police has launched the Accelerated Policing Course for a group of experienced Australian police officers.
Assistant Commissioner Deployment Jeanette Park says four Australian police officers began training at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) on 25 May.
"The course is offering fit-for-purpose training by recognising transferrable skills and applying them to the New Zealand policing environment.
"By focusing on key areas training will take 10 weeks instead of 20, so the officers will be out on the frontline making a difference in our communities sooner.
"These officers will be huge assets to New Zealand with years of experience under their belts."
Assistant Commissioner Park says the officers on the Accelerated Policing Course have come from Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia Police services and were all recruited through our campaign in Australia at the end of last year.
"As well as encouraging former New Zealand officers to rejoin, the campaign showed there was interest in a pathway for experienced officers coming to New Zealand.
"Since the campaign launched, we have had seven officers rejoin and almost 40 expressions of interest from Australian police officers who have never worked for New Zealand Police before. Many of those said that going through 20 weeks of training was a barrier to making the move."
Assistant Commissioner Park says this course could be a game changer for recruitment.
"The RNZPC are already planning to run the Accelerated Policing Course again early next year.
"We are always looking for new ways to streamline our process and attract high quality applicants. This could also support us to recruit staff from other comparable policing jurisdictions in the future.
"If you are a Police officer outside of New Zealand who is interested in the next Accelerated Policing Course visit www.newcops.govt.nz to find out more and express your interest."
