Commissioner Rob Robinson, the man who has presided over the police during some of the organisation's most troubled years, is to stand down at the end of the year.
Mr Robinson's resignation follows almost six turbulent years as commissioner, a job he inherited after Peter Doone stood down amid controversy
in 2000.
In the past year alone Mr Robinson has came under fire for the mishandling of the Iraena Asher case, the troubled 111 system, the email pornography scandal and dwindling public confidence in an under-resourced police force.
Speaking to the Herald last night, Mr Robinson said he had mixed emotions about leaving but felt that the time was right.
"This decision is one I and my family took earlier in the year."
Mr Robinson said while there were plenty of lows during his time he was proud to be leaving at a time when crime was falling and there were more New Zealanders enjoying Christmas with their loved ones than they did in the 1990s, due to fewer fatal road accidents.
The commissioner's retirement comes just weeks after Police Minister George Hawkins said he would not be applying for the ministerial position.
Last night Mr Hawkins paid tribute to the man he has at times traded verbal blows with over budgetary matters.
"Mr Robinson is a good commissioner who has dealt with issues head-on," said Mr Hawkins. "Under him, police have helped achieve the lowest crime rate in 25 years, the highest clearance rate in 18 years and kept our roads safer than they have been in decades."
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said Mr Robinson's retirement had come as a surprise to some, but at a good time for the police in general.
He said Mr Robinson would be remembered as an "incredibly hardworking commissioner" who inherited rundown stations and vehicle fleet but had turned that all around.
Mr O'Connor described Mr Hawkins as George the Building when he announced his decisions to stand down. Mr Robinson was therefore "Rob the Builder", who would be leaving his successor with a well-resourced infrastructure.
He said both Mr Robinson and Mr Hawkins had left the force with a good base for the next minister and commissioner to build on.
When Mr Robinson took the job in 2000, he did so with the aim of improving the force's infrastructure.
Last night Mr Robinson said one of the most challenging tasks had been operating in a post-September 11 world with a heightened threat of terrorism.
When Mr Robinson accepted the Government's offer to extend his contract last year, he did so on the basis that there were still things he wanted to finished, and they were now complete.
At age 55, Mr Robinson is looking forward to time with his adult children and first grandchild, born this year.
There will also be time for fishing, a sport he hasn't had enough time to focus on in the past few years, and he hopes to take up other challenges.
Mr Robinson said he was proud of the men and women who made up the police force and the job they did in New Zealand.
Turbulent times
* 1975 - Joins NZ Police
* 2000 - Replaces Peter Doone as Police Commissioner
* Nov 00 - Apologises to woman whose rape complaints ignored by police 18 years ago
* Oct 01 - Apologises to three teens jailed for crime they did not commit.
* Mar 05 - Calls for inquiry at Counties Manukau Police
* Apr 05 - Controversially goes public with results of police computer pornography inquiry
* Oct 05 - Announces retirement
Police boss Robinson to quit at end of year
Rob Robinson
Commissioner Rob Robinson, the man who has presided over the police during some of the organisation's most troubled years, is to stand down at the end of the year.
Mr Robinson's resignation follows almost six turbulent years as commissioner, a job he inherited after Peter Doone stood down amid controversy
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