The Government has faith it will hit its target of 500 new police officers by next November - despite the new Commissioner's scepticism. 

Richard Chambers says because he refuses to lower the quality of trained officers, June 2026 is a more realistic deadline. 

Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says she has no reason to believe the date should shift.

"I've been reassured that we are on track, that we are working hard - we have a massive recruitment pipeline, the biggest that they've ever seen. So we're driving forward on that November 2025 target."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government has faith it will hit its target of 500 new police officers by next November - despite the new Commissioner's scepticism.&nbsp;
Richard Chambers says because he refuses to lower the quality of trained officers, June 2026 is a more realistic deadline.&nbsp;
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says she has no reason to believe the date should shift.
"I've been reassured that we are on track, that we are working hard - we have a massive recruitment pipeline, the biggest that they've ever seen. So we're driving forward on that November 2025 target."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Casey Costello: Associate Police Minister on the Government's odds of meeting police recruitment targets

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0ba6c51e-508e-4f12-9af5-b23d004d33ba/transcript