Are you calm under pressure, good at negotiating, or have exceptional attention to detail? Or maybe you can keep a cool head while the heat is turned up or you’re a great leader in your community?
You never know how your life experiences; abilities and know-how may be compatible with policing.
That’s the theme behind the latest New Zealand Police recruitment campaign ad dubbed ‘Calling Card’.
Commissioner Richard Chambers says, “The new campaign is our biggest for the year, and targets people whose skills, strengths and experience make them a good fit for Police.
This campaign will showcase just what an attractive and varied career Police can offer, and I urge those who have the skills we need to sign up,” says Commissioner Chambers.
“To serve our communities we need new staff from all backgrounds and with different skills and characteristics. Policing is an exciting and dynamic career suited to many types of New Zealanders and obviously the best people to tell you this is the staff who are doing it daily,” says Commissioner Chambers.
The filming was completed over the space of 10 days and took place in a few police districts, but notably Northland and Southland.
A Northland Search and Rescue scene features husband and wife, both working Police officers – Josh and Tracey from Whangarei. Tracey was inspired to join after following her husband’s career.
“I’m lucky to be policing in one of the most beautiful parts of our country, I graduated in 2023, so I’m still on rotation throughout various work groups to enhance my skillset – no day is the same, I’m loving the challenge.”
A Police Negotiator scene was filmed near Lumsden in Southland and featured Constable Alistair who works in a Tactical Crime Unit.
“I have enjoyed 18-years of policing and ten of those years being part of the Police Negotiating Team and it’s nothing short of fascinating with many challenges thrown in for good measure.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Deployment, Zane Hooper says, “There is a common misconception about what type of person Police want to recruit as officers and it’s not always what you think.
“We hope this campaign will show people that we want to recruit New Zealanders with a variety of personality traits – they may not realise just how valuable their abilities and knowledge could be to policing.
These skills are empathy, leadership, composure, fitness, teamwork and problem solving, he says.
“There are more than 30 different career paths as an officer in the New Zealand Police and we invest time in training our staff, so they have the qualities to face any situation.”
The ad, which has just gone live on YouTube features over 50 Police staff, including constabulary and employee, alongside their family members and friends.
Some retired staff – who together have over 150 years of combined service – helped out with the campaign.
“Getting current and former staff involved in the filming was relatively easy because they’re passionate about showing New Zealanders why this is such a great job,” says Hooper.
‘Calling Card’ has been made with advertising agency Eighty One Media, and the video was directed by New Zealander, Vince McMillan.
Interested in joining the Police? Go to newcops.co.nz and take the first step.
