National's Police spokesperson Tony Ryall tonight released police vacancy figures revealed in written answers at the same time as Police Minister George Hawkins tried to talk up graduation figures.

"It's going to take ages to repair the damage George Hawkins has done to police numbers," Mr Ryall said.

Police vacancies as at 24 July 2001:

Northland 17
North Shore/Waitakere 19
Auckland City 60
Counties/Manukau 66
Waikato 31
Bay of Plenty 21
Eastern 11
Central 35
Wellington 45
Tasman 14
Canterbury 38
Southern 10

Total 367

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