The new Government is aiming to "strive towards" adding 1800 new police officers over three years. As part of the Labour-New Zealand First agreement, the new Government is aiming to "strive towards" adding 1800 new police officers over three years, as well as look into a volunteer rural constabulary programme and targeting organised crime. "We've got a police force which has been underfunded now for nine years, and it's showing," Police Minister Stuart Nash said. What we've said is 1800 police over three years. This would include funding levels for the regions, for tackling cyber crime, organised crime, and for boosting the front lines.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 31, 2017 00:45 UTC