500 for Christmas?

Could Police finally unwrap the Government’s promised 500 extra cops by Christmas? It’s going to be a nail-biter. As of September 28, Police had 10,552 constables, a net gain of 341 since the promise was made and 159 short of the magic 10,711. Four recruit wings are due to graduate by December 17, potentially adding 260 constables. But while newbies come in the front door, plenty are still heading out the back. Factoring in past wing completion rates and recent attrition, my number-crunching reckons Police could be within a handful of the target by Christmas. If the numbers fall its way, December 17 could be the day. If not, March 2027 is looking like the next best bet, a tad later than the November 2025 deadline. So, 500 for Christmas? I wouldn’t pin your hopes on it just yet.

Plum assignments

I’m hearing rumours that several superintendents have been given plum jobs overseas. These can be tough roles without the complexities of moving the family. The problem is the commissioner doesn’t appear to have a cadre of suitable people lining up to replace them. With 70 to 80-hour weeks, evenings and weekends and only a minor bump in pay, the hourly rate doesn’t seem that tempting. Why step up to face the scrutiny and the workload, only to have the castle second guess your every decision. Good luck to yah, I say!

A modern marvel

I hear the Whanganui Tac Ops room is catching up early next year (I could say so much more about Whanganui but, nah, you guys do a top job). It seems the ol’ (non-compliant) “key’s in a filing cabinet” security for the gun safe has had its day. A recent unfortunate event might have had something to do with that. In comes swipe-card access and CCTV monitoring. The tactical store and muster room are also being extended under the D500 property plan to “accommodate the increase in staff numbers and tactical equipment”. You heard it here, more staff!

Photos bombing

Our Top Cat seems to have photogenic frontline favourites – PST and Road Policing mostly. Is that because only the “blue” are seen as front line? My CIB mates are wondering why they’re overlooked for photo opportunities. Many in CIB are front line, not just hiding away in PNHQ because they are now afraid of the dark. PNHQ has plenty doing investigations, service and response too. They’re feeling aggrieved that they don’t get a share of the hands-on, positive vibes the commissioner dishes out to uniform buddies when he graces them with his presence – and cameras.

A walk in the park

Word on the campus is there are plans to improve security at the Police College. Despite all the intel and reminders about threats to our stations and staff, the college might as well be a public park. So many people take shortcuts through it, that it resembles one of Auckland’s new rail stations. I’ve heard things are going to be tightened up so staff and recruits feel safer. What if the worst happened? I hope the security beef-up is similar to Whanganui’s. It would be a shame to have a wide-open site where some staff cannot get to the resources they need in an emergency.