Police from the United Kingdom are queuing up to work in New Zealand.
In the past three months, more than 300 officers from the UK have shown an interest in joining the New Zealand force, says police spokesman Wayne Annan.
He said up to 80 UK police could be deployed in theAuckland region after undergoing a 10-week training course.
The officers must have served a minimum of two years in the UK and must agree to serve at least two years in New Zealand.
Mr Annan said they would not receive travel compensation. They would come under a talent visa work permit, which would make them eligible for permanent residency after two years.
They would join as constables and be paid the same as other recruit graduates.
Police in two Auckland districts are so desperate for staff they want the Government to give officers a bonus retention payment if they stay in their jobs a year.
At the Police Association conference in Wellington on Thursday, delegates passed a motion asking Commissioner Rob Robinson to adopt a scheme whereby Auckland City and Counties Manukau officers would receive a one-off bonus of $2500 if they stayed between July 2002 and July 2003.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Allsopp-Smith of Auckland City and Sergeant Spencer Matthews of Counties Manukau said police were struggling to keep up.
Mr Allsopp-Smith said one violent crime was committed every two hours in Auckland City, which recorded a 13 per cent increase in crime during 2001-2002.
