IR-01-26-4582
6 March 2026
Kendra Horne
[FYI request #33673 email]
Tēnā koe Kendra
Request for information
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 10 February 2026. You
asked for information regarding neurodiversity.
My response to each part of your request can be found below.
1.
Data comparing the average 'call out' or response times for incidents involving
individuals identified as neurodiverse versus those identified as neurotypical.
When responding to cal s for service, Police do not capture information regarding whether
the individual has identified themselves as neurodiverse or neurotypical. A cal er may
volunteer this information, should they feel it is relevant for Police to know, but this
information is not specifical y sought, and there is no structured field to capture this
information. Therefore, there is no mechanism to track whether an individual has
identified themselves to Police as neurodiverse or neurotypical. This part of your request
has been refused under section 18(e) of the Official Information Act 1982, as this
information does not exist.
2.
A summary of the current training requirements and modules provided to Police staff
regarding support for, and interaction with, people with disabilities (including
physical, intellectual, and neurodiverse conditions).
Police recognise that there is a wide spectrum of neurodiversity, and in their engagement,
acknowledge that some interactions may present particular chal enges. As such, Police
ensure that considerations of those in the d/Deaf, disability and neurodiverse
communities, and the support they may require, are incorporated into training and
guidance to staff.
As part of the initial training for Police recruits, there are two sessions on understanding
neurodiversity and understanding disabilities which focus on understanding neurodiversity
and disabilities to better appreciate how it may affect individuals, society, and policing.
The training also seeks to develop awareness and understanding so police can recognise
their needs and effectively respond and engage with members of those communities.
These sessions use presentations which feature lived experiences of those with
disabilities or different neurodiversity who share their stories. The presentations are
accompanied by workbooks which provide further structured guidance and information,
alongside reflective prompts to encourage applying their learnings into policing context.
There is also guidance for staff in Police policies regarding those with neurodivergence,
where additional support may be required. Some of these include guidance such as when
interviewing someone as a witness or a suspect, or those with mental distress.
3.
Any internal policies or standard operating procedures (SOPs) specifically regarding
the management of cal s involving neurodiverse individuals."
Please find attached Police’s
Neurodevelopmental Disorders – Cal Taker Interaction
guide.
Please note that as part of its commitment to openness and transparency, Police
proactively releases some information and documents that may be of interest to the
public. An anonymised version of this response may be publicly released on the New
Zealand Police website.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Inspector Kyle Sherson
Acting Director: Prevention
New Zealand Police
