The New South Wales (NSW) Police has set its sights on attracting New Zealand’s ranks of experienced police staff, flashing around cash and benefit incentives to entice them to hop over the Tasman. But the move couldn’t have come at a worse time for the NZ coalition government.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb made no secret of her department’s intentions at a press conference on May 15.
“If you are a police officer in another jurisdiction in Australia or New Zealand at senior constable level, join the New South Wales police force,” she said
“We pay well and we’re attractive.”
Premier Chris Minns said via a statement that recent events including the Bondi mass stabbings and the terrorist-related attack on a Sydney cleric showed that the state needed more officers.
“We know we need more police officers. So whether you live in regional NSW or another state, our message is clear—now is a great time for you to consider joining the NSW police force,” Mr. Minns said.
The employment drive comes at a time when the NZ Police Department is struggling to fill 250 vacancies of its own to keep up with election pledges. It is feared that experienced officers, dissatisfied with their workload, pay, and benefits, will be seduced by sweeteners of up to $30,000 to relocate to NSW.
NSW Police Shortages
As of 2024, the NSW Police has approximately 18,000 personnel. This figure includes both sworn officers and civilian staff, making it the largest police service in Australia.There are 1,500 current vacancies, according to a release on the government’s website. The “legacy of the previous government’s neglect and mismanagement of police recruitment and retention,” is blamed for the shortfall.
The NSW government has recently announced the Experienced Officer Recruitment Scheme which encompasses a Professional Mobility Program which will offer positions in the force to experienced officers and allow them to keep their rank up to senior constable level six.
The government said the vacancies are “placing significant strain and a punishing workload on serving officers, and action to tackle this is critical.”
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse For NZ
The National Party-led coalition government promised a 500-officer boost to the thin blue line at the last election.While recruitment targets can mostly be met by a continuous stream of people looking to embark on a career that is seen as largely safe from restructuring and economic pressures, raw recruits with limited experience are thrust into the thick of the action, often working without the mentorship of a senior partner.
The new national gang unit is a priority for the government after gang-related crime has skyrocketed in the country in recent years, and experienced cops lured away to Australia will undoubtedly put a dent in the supply of battle-hardened staff required to deal with the challenges of interdiction and enforcement.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon admitted to the AM show that retaining staff in the wake of approaches from NSW was a serious challenge.
“It’s up to each individual police officer to make their decision, but I'd just say to you we are wanting to build a country where police officers choose to stay here,” Mr. Luxon said.
A Serving NZ Officer’s Perspective
Speaking with The Epoch Times under anonymity, an officer with over 20 years of experience said the discussion around packing up and moving to Australia to serve was pertinent.“People at work are definitely talking about it. Policing is a tough job, especially here in Auckland where I work. We are constantly understaffed and you never finish your shift on time.
“Offenders are becoming even more bold these days. Much of that has been driven by a court system that doesn’t support police or the victims. There is a general feeling that we are under-resourced.
“But having said that, I’m sure Aussie cops have similar issues, and I wouldn’t expect the work is any easier or less demanding on your home life than it is here,” the officer said.
Pay rates for police in New Zealand vary by rank and experience. Constables work a 3-shift roster and recruits get paid to train earning NZ$57,566 (US$35,300) at police college, rising to around $68,000 after graduation and an average of around $75,000 after five years of service. The scale rises incrementally, adjusted by the length of service.
In NSW, a probationary constable starts at around A$80,000 (US$53,500), rising to $91,394 for a level-five constable.
According to a source, pay packets for experienced officers at the rank of constable recruited from New Zealand and other states are expected to top $120,000 before any cash relocation bonuses, extra incentives and shift allowances are applied.
Pay scales are even higher in areas of greater demand like the Northern Territory and parts of rural Queensland.
The officer said while the pay rate is higher, Sydney’s hot real estate market may diffuse the explosion of Kiwi cops migrating to the lucky country.
“I looked at the numbers a while ago, and while they help you a bit to get set up, prices in the cities are on a par or even more expensive with comparable properties in Auckland. I think in purely financial terms, a cop’s pay will realistically only afford you a moderate lifestyle.”
