06 July 2020
Mr Thomas Holmes
For Your Information
[FYI request #13046 email]
Dear Mr Holmes
RE: OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
Thank you for your e-mail of 06 June 2020
, in which you have requested the following
information under the Official Information Act:
“Any documentation related to the recruitment fitness testing being placed on hold
until further notice, e.g. e-mail chains, correspondence, meeting agendas and
minutes.
Any documentation related to recruit applications not being accepted for specific
districts, e.g. e-mail chains, correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes.
Please list the number of recruit wings which are stil planned to go ahead during the
remainder of 2020.”
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act.
As you wil understand, COVID-19 is a once in a generation event with significant implications
for workforces across New Zealand and the world more generally. As you would expect,
COVID-19 also had a significant on the New Zealand Police as both a service and as an
employer.
As a result of the Alert Level System, particularly levels three and four, changes needed to be
made to the way we recruited and trained our staff, including completion of physical fitness
tests and the operation of recruit wings, for health and safety reasons and to comply with the
Alert Level System.
Recruitment Physical Testing
In terms of your request for information relating to recruitment fitness testing, this was paused
for a single recruit wing, under Alert Level 4. This was because the testing was not able to be
delivered under the Alert Level 4 environment. However, recruits from this Wing were
determined to be physically suitable for recruit training on the basis that they had passed their
initial Physical Application Test, scored five or six points in their 2.4 kilometre run, completed
the requisite number of press ups as well as meeting the standards for the vertical jump and
grip strength.
Police recommenced Physical Application Testing under Alert Level 3. A copy of e-mail
correspondence on this point, is enclosed for your information.
Recruitment Applications
In respect of your request for your documentation relating to recruit applications not being
accepted for specific districts, I can confirm that on Monday 15 June 2020, Police announced
a three month pause on accepting new applications to become a Police Officer.
Police currently has more than 4000 people at some stage in the constabulary application
process. Since COVID-19, we have been receiving near record high numbers of applications
every month. The existing number of people within our recruitment pipeline is enough to fulfil
all of our recruitment needs for the next two years, based on current attrition levels.
Our focus is on ensuring that those people who already in the recruitment pipeline have the
best experience and that people who are thinking about becoming a Police officer can plan
for this in the near future. It is expected that when we re-open the pipeline, we wil do this on
a district basis as needed.
A copy of the following correspondence is included for your information: e-mail to key internal
stakeholders; e-mail to people currently within the constabulary recruitment process, e-mail to
the internal Recruitment and Initial Training staff, and a message to our external stakeholders.
A link to our public press release on this topic can be found at:
https:/ www.newcops.co.nz/constabulary-recruitment-updates
Recruit Wings for 2020
Finally, you have requested a list of the number of recruit wings which are stil planned to go
ahead during the remainder of 2020. Below is a list of the recruit wings that have run thus far,
and those that are planned for the remainder of 2020.
Wing
Start Date
337
February
338
March
339
March
340
April
341
July
342
August
343
October
344
November
I trust this information has been helpful.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Act, as the Ombudsman to review my decision,
if you are not satisfied with the way I have responded to your request.
Regards,
Scott Fraser
Acting Assistant Commissioner COVID-19
Proposal for recruit wings during COVID 19 period
Background
1. In February 2020 the Police Executive approved the fol owing wing plan. This was designed
to ensure that Police wil be at target strength at June 2021, including funded growth.
Table 1: Currently approved RNZPC wings until the end of 2020/21
Wing
Start
Graduate
Location Number
337
3 Feb 20
21 May 20
RNZPC
60
338
2 Mar 20
18 Jun 20
RNZPC
40
339
30 Mar 20
16 Jul 20
RNZPC
60
340
27 Apr 20
13 Aug 20
RNZPC
60
341/5
25 May 20
1 Oct 20
TM
20
341
25 May 20
10 Sep 20
RNZPC
60
342
22 Jun 20
8 Oct 20
RNZPC
60
343/5
20 Jul 20
26 Nov 20
TM
20
343
20 Jul 20
5 Nov 20
RNZPC
60
344
17 Aug 20
3 Dec 20
RNZPC
60
345/5
14 Sep 20
4 Feb 21
TM
20
345
14 Sep 20
21 Jan 21
RNZPC
60
346
12 Oct 20
18 Feb 21
RNZPC
60
347
9 Nov 20
18 Mar 21
RNZPC
60
348
22 Feb 21
10 Jun 21
RNZPC
60
2. Currently Wings 337 and 338 are under training and this will continue, with challenges
caused by lockdown and additional Health and Safety requirements. However, it is expected
that their graduations will happen broadly in line with the dates listed above.
3. Wings 339 and 340 have already been recruited and wil be proceeding with the first 6
weeks of their training delivered via online channels. Final details of training post this are
being confirmed and wil dependant on the alert level if they can be bought to RNZPC to
complete defence tactics and driver training.
4. The standard wing structure at RNZPC is one wing every four weeks. This was designed as
some facilities, such as the firing range, can only safely take a limited number of recruits at
any time. This recruitment al ows a section of 20 to start each week, with the other sections
rotating through these components of the course before the fol owing wing moves into this
component of the training. Therefore, should the current reopening of RNZPC happen as
planned there will need to be six weeks of defensive training completed to finish these
wings. If another wing was to commence on the same bases it would not be possible to
complete it within the standard 16 weeks of training.
Recruitment pipeline
5. There are currently more than 3,500 people in the Constabulary recruitment pipeline, with
application numbers remaining high in the last 10 days. This is equivalent to over a years
required recruits. P21 required demographics are contained within this pool.
6. Due to COVID-19 Alert level 3/4 measures the Recruitment Team are implementing
alternatives ways of assessing and selecting such as online delivery there are key
components that require more time to determine work arounds such as SCOPE and Physical
testing.
7. In additional there are a number of groups outside core Constabulary Recruitment that
provide services to the recruitment processes that having their operational focus shifted
though this period. Eg medical clearance, vetting, NIC vetting and drug testing.
8. The Constabulary recruitment team is working with all working to progress applicants to the
furthest point in the recruitment process.
Options considerations
9. There has been an increase number of former Constabulary employees enquiring about re-
joining. Rejoins could be used to supplement workforce in the short term.
10. For a number of economic reasons it is likely that attrition will fall even further. For this
reason it is likely that Police can achieve desired growth with lower recruitment numbers
than were originally planned.
Proposed change in wing structure
11. Given these chal enges it is proposed to postpone Wings 341 (including the TM non-
residential component) and 342, which currently are planned to commence in May and June
2020.
12. To make up these recruits, should this be required, an additional wing in Jan 2021 could be
introduced and some planned wings of 60 could be increased to 80.
13. This change will enable Police to be at desired strength at the end of this financial year.
Table 2: Proposed approved RNZPC wings until the end of 2020/21
Wing Start
Graduate
Location Number
337
3 Feb 20
21 May 20
RNZPC
60
338
2 Mar 20
18 Jun 20
RNZPC
40
339
30 Mar 20
16 Jul 20
RNZPC
60
340
27 Apr 20
13 Aug 20
RNZPC
60
341/5
20 Jul 20
26 Nov 20
TM
20
341
20 Jul 20
5 Nov 20
RNZPC
60
342
17 Aug 20
3 Dec 20
RNZPC
80
343/5
14 Sep 20
4 Feb 21
TM
20
343
14 Sep 20
21 Jan 21
RNZPC
60
344
12 Oct 20
18 Feb 21
RNZPC
80
345
9 Nov 20
18 Mar 21
RNZPC
80
346
25 Jan 21
13 May 21
RNZPC
80
347
22 Feb 21
10 Jun 21
RNZPC
60
From: RYAN, Kaye
Sent: Wednesday, 8 April 2020 11:48 a.m.
To: AITKEN, Melanie <[email address]>; FRASER, Scott <[email address]>
Subject: RE: PAT proposal document
Approved as an interim for this wing.
thanks
Kaye Ryan
Deputy Chief Executive: People and Capability
Police National Headquarters
P +64 4 474 9407
M +64 21 192 2059
E [email address]
From: AITKEN, Melanie
Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2020 10:42 AM
To: RYAN, Kaye ; FRASER, Scott
Subject: FW: PAT proposal document
Good morning
Due to AL4, we are unable to physically complete final PAT testing for recruit applicants for Wing
341.
We have provided an interim/short solution for our current recruit applicants to ensure the next
wing 341 can be filled. There are sufficient numbers who have completed their initial PAT but not
the final, however based on our PEO’s advice, would be deemed suitable to be accepted as passed
based on the fol owing standard:
1. They have passed their initial PAT
2. Scored 5 or 6 points in the 2.4k run
3. Completed the minimum number of press ups, as well as standards for vertical jump and
grip strength.
I support this recommendation, as does Carly. Could you please consider for approval?
Many thanks
Mel
From: AITKEN, Melanie
Sent: Tuesday, 28 April 2020 3:48 PM
To: RYAN, Kaye
<[email address]>
Cc: DRURY, Carly
<[email address]>; HILL, Rebecca (Becky)
<[email address]>
Subject: Recommencing PAT under AL3
Hi Kaye
Just to advise you that a ful risk mitigation strategy has been completed to enable
recommencement of PAT at AL3. The plan has been drafted in conjunction with National
Recruitment, PEO and H&S within Safer People.
As AL3 is most likely going to be short lived, it is my intention to hold off further planning on how we
could adapt the PCT to re-commence testing in the short term under AL3 conditions. Al PEOs are
actively engaged in Safer People work-streams/projects which I am confident wil keep them actively
contributing to the wider Safer People strategy in the coming month.
If you require visibility of the PAT H&S plan, then please let me know, otherwise we wil commence
with the testing as planned.
Many thanks
Mel
From: RYAN, Kaye
Sent: Monday, 15 June 2020 2:56 PM
To: DL_District Commanders ; DL_National Managers ; DL_Assistant Commissioners/Executive
Directors
Cc: ANDERSON, Cassandra ; DRURY, Carly ; SAUNDERS, Iain
Subject: Important Update: temporary pause of constabulary recruit applications
Kia ora
We have placed a temporary pause taking applications for constabulary recruitment for an initial
three-month period effective from today (Monday 15 June) due to an increase in applications over
the past few months.
We have more than 4000 people at some stage in the constabulary application process and are
receiving up to 600 more each month. This is well above our recruitment needs as we already have
an average of 2.2 years of recruits across districts. For those in the recruitment pipeline, this will
mean inevitable delays, and those thinking about applying today will have to wait.
This decision has not been made lightly but we hope that pausing recruitment wil give those already
in the recruitment pipeline the best experience and enable people thinking about becoming a Police
officer to plan for their near future. It is expected that when we re-open the pipeline we wil not do
this nationally but rather on a district basis as and when needed.
Please see the frequently asked questions below for more information. This wil be shared with staff
in a Ten One story this afternoon. Also note that we will be informing those in the recruitment
pipeline shortly and wil be publishing a media release later today.
Kaye Ryan
DCE People & Capability
--
Frequently Asked Questions How long wil applications be closed for?
Police has temporarily paused accepting new applications for a tentative three-month period from
12 June 2020. Police will be constantly reviewing the situation and will be processing as many
existing applications as possible, but all applications should expect delays.
What does this mean for current and upcoming wings?
There are 100 recruits currently in training at the Police Col ege who are due to graduate over the
next few months. Recruit training at the Royal New Zealand Police College will continue with Wings
planned for the rest of this year irrespective of the application pause.
Wil the recruitment application affect District deployment or RNZPC training?
No. The application pause will have no impact on district resourcing, numbers, or RAT. We will still
be deploying to districts as needed and, should any needs arise, we are in a good position to respond
quickly. Additional training through the RNZPC will also continue.
What can I tel people in the community who ask about becoming a Police officer?
A lot of people want to become Police officers – and we want you to keep encouraging people to
apply who you think would make a great fit. When engaging with those in the community about
becoming a cop, use your discretion as to whether or not the current pause on new applications is
relevant. For instance, if someone is looking to apply today, then let them know they can’t; whereas
if someone is looking at becoming a cop in the future, encourage them to continue with the fitness
and learning journeys associated with the recruitment process.
I have friends or whanau in the recruitment process. What does this mean for them?
The same goes for them – let them know about the delay but reassure them that it is temporary and
that the opportunity to become a Police officer is stil very much there. As with members of the
public you think would be great, tel them to continue with the fitness and learning journeys
associated with the recruitment process to connect with a Recruitment Hub or Selection Specialist.
Where can members of the public find more information?
People thinking about becoming a cop can go to
www.newcops.co.nz to learn about life as an NZ
Police officer, possible police careers, and the police recruitment process.
Have we reached the 1800 target?
We are well on the way to meeting the 1800 growth target and are in a strong position after three
years of successful recruitment marketing. In March 2020 we achieved 10,000 FTE Constables for the
first time ever, this means that total numbers, taking account of attrition, has increased by 1,244 (14
per cent) since June 2017. This places us on track to achieve the target of an overall 1800 lift in
constabulary strength, including attrition, wel before the planned June 2023.
The application pause and recruitment delays are not expected to impact the 1800 growth target,
which will enable us to increase our visibility and presence in communities across the country. It has
already significantly built Police’s frontline capability to respond to local, national and global events,
and wil continue to benefit both our urban and regional communities.
Are we stil accepting re-joins?
NZ Police Executive Leadership Board (ELB) agreed on a pause on hiring for all re-join appointments,
except in limited circumstances, effective from 31 March 2020. This pause will remain in place.
Is non-constabulary recruitment also paused?
Non-constabulary recruitment is not paused and will continue as normal with the recent directive in
place from the State Services Commissions regarding Pay Restraint. More information about the
various careers available at New Zealand Police can be found here:
https://www.police.govt.nz/careers
Initial delay email to recruitment pipeline
Date: Friday 12 June 2020
To: People currently within the Constabulary Recruitment process
From: Constabulary Recruitment mailbox
Subject line: Your Constabulary Recruitment Application
Kia ora,
Due to an increase in application numbers over the past few months, we have placed a temporary pause
on accepting applications for constabulary recruitment. The current application numbers are above what
we require to reach our targets and we want to set realistic applications for those in the recruitment
process as well as those who want to apply.
This does not mean your existing application is on hold although you may experience some delays.
Rest assured knowing that we are working hard to continue processing the applications we currently
have, including yours, and you wil be contacted in due course to discuss the next steps in your
recruitment process or expected Wings dates if you have completed the process - Recruit training (post
COVID-19) at the Royal New Zealand Police College will recommence in July and continue irrespective of
the application pause.
If you have any further questions you can find out more
here or can contact your Constabulary
Recruitment Team or the Recruitment Hub.
Ngā mihi
NZ Police Constabulary Recruitment
Document Outline
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