Training for authorised officers varies but typically is shorter and less intensive than the 16-week training course required for constabulary officers. Cahill said while authorised officers were always part of the plans Cabinet agreed to in 2018, to call all new officers “frontline” and “on the beat” was misleading. When asked directly by NZME if labelling all 1800 new officers as “frontline” was misleading, she replied: “The Government’s commitment has always included authorised officers. Growing demand for frontline policeAs reports of retail and violent crime increase, Cahill said that demand for frontline officers had grown significantly. There are currently 10,184 constabulary officers and 525 authorised officers, making up the total force of 10,709.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 13, 2023 20:12 UTC