Young female applicants are in high demand
Good pay, a challenging job, full training and guaranteed employment. It’s a dream role when you get it down on paper, but it’s astonishing how many people overlook front-line employers like the police when they’re planning to head home.
The Thin Blue Line
NZ Police recruitment manager James Whitaker says plenty of police officer positions will be available in Auckland between now and the
end of 2010. There are fewer positions outside the Auckland area, but the door is always open to outstanding applicants.
Who are they looking for?
Young female applicants are in high demand, Whitaker explains, because the organisation has predominantly male staff ad its average age is starting to creep up.
“We need to keep attracting young people otherwise we won’t have enough staff in the future,” he points out.
Why do it?
There are obviously pretty big challenges when working as a police officer, but Whitaker points out there are some major benefits too, such as making a real difference to society by preventing and solving crime.
And the pay?
New recruits get paid $34,272 a year while attending the Royal New Zealand Police College. Once qualified, new probationary constables earn $50,141 plus benefits.
After two years as a police officer, you’ll get the chance to specialise in areas such as forensics, Interpol, criminal investigations, dive squad, dog-handling or police photography.
Is it for me?
Whitaker says the police are looking for fit, healthy people who are excellent communicators and team players.
“They need to be confident enough to keep a level head, but not so much that it could be perceived as arrogance,” he says.
Whitaker adds that experience gained on an OE is definitely valued, especially if applicants are fluent in multiple languages.
