New police package could cost $500m

Simon Power

The cost of Labour's post-election deal with New Zealand First became clearer yesterday, when it was revealed that funding for new police may rise to $500 million over the next four years.

The recruitment of 1000 new police officers and 250 non-sworn staff is the biggest spending announcement made so far by the Government before tomorrow's Budget.

A total of $164 million in operating costs and $52 million in capital costs - for items such as buildings and cars - will be allocated in the Budget to recruit 406 extra police.

The costs will then rise in later Budgets as the second and third tranches of police are recruited, at a rate of around 400 each year until the target of 1250 is reached.

Labour committed to the introduction of 1000 police as part of its confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First after the last election.

Police Minister Annette King said the total cost of the extra police, including a recruitment and retention campaign, was forecast to rise to $500 million over the next four years.

The sizeable funding boost itself did not draw any criticism from National Party law and order spokesman Simon Power, who said the police would welcome more resources.

But he said he was concerned about whether the recruitment target could be met.

The present attrition rates within the police force suggest that might be a tall order.

"I'm not going to be churlish about the funding," Mr Power said.

"What I'm concerned about is that whether the promise for 1000 new police that the public has been sold is going to be met.

"Right now I'm not convinced."

He said that in the year to April, 379 officers resigned or retired and 39 per cent of them had 15 years' or more experience.

"If you are going to recruit new police officers, the real question to be asking is how do you retain the experience of some of these longer-serving guys?"

Ms King said she was not underestimating the difficulties involved in recruiting "so many extra police".

But she said the police was a "great career" and she believed "many hundreds" of New Zealanders would want to join.

NZ First law and order spokesman Ron Mark said the new funding was a huge commitment.

"It is essential that this substantial funding is used to provide the most effective support possible to police."