Police have lost nearly 1000 staff in under two years.
Figures issued by Police Minister George Hawkins show 971 staff left in the 22 months to April last year.
The figures, released to Act MP Dr Muriel Newman, do not include the Auckland district, which is about 60 officers down on its664 total of a year ago.
Of the 971 who left, 444 were dismissed, took voluntary severance or died, 241 left under the Perf scheme, 228 resigned and 58 retired.
Perf, the Police Employment Rehabilitation Fund, enables officers to receive superannuation entitlements after proving their inability to maintain required fitness standards, either for physical or psychological reasons.
The Wellington region, with 137 staff leaving, was the worst affected.
Canterbury lost 115, Counties/Manukau 98 and North Shore/Waitakere 102.
Dr Newman described the figures as "very disturbing".
