Frontline Police numbers will be increased by 500 officers by the end of 2025 to help reduce crime and improve public safety, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says.

“We are serious about restoring law and order and that starts with having more Police on the beat to deter crime and catch offenders,” Ms Costello says.

“We want New Zealanders to feel safe and be safe in their communities and we need to tackle what has been a significant increase in serious crime.”

Budget 2024 includes $191 million over four years to fund the recruitment and retention of 500 more sworn Police officers and $34.6 million in capital to ensure that they are properly equipped to do their jobs.

“The $191 million is for recruitment, training and remuneration along with other operating costs,” Ms Costello says.

“Police officers also need to have the right tools to do their jobs and the $34.6 million capital provides for vehicles, equipment such as body armour and Police station investment.

“The 500 extra police officers in the first two years of our Government is a priority in the New Zealand First-National coalition agreement and this funding boost will help us deliver on our commitment to law and order.

“It is expected that the funding will go towards increasing Police presence in communities, improving responsiveness to emergency calls, addressing serious youth crime, and preventing gang intimidation.”

When the new Government was sworn into office on 27 November 2023, there were 10,211 sworn officers. The extra funding is to increase Police constabulary numbers to 10,711.

“This is a significant and real increase and comes on top of the extra money for Police cost pressures announced in today’s Budget by Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

“Police officers do a great job, and the Government is backing the Police with more funding, more officers and the tools to keep the public safe,” Ms Costello says.

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