Constables

New Zealand

Constables in New Zealand have powers under the Policing Act 2008, a police employee receives these powers and becomes a constable by swearing the oath under section 22 of the Policing Act 2008. After becoming a sworn officer a police employee will leave the Royal New Zealand Police College and be promoted from recruit to probational constable. A probationary constable will be promoted to constable once they obtaining permanent appointment which is 10 workplace assessment standards which usually takes around two years. All police officers in the New Zealand Police are referred to in legislation as constables even if they are a sergeant or above and do not hold the rank of constable. For example the charge for assaulting a police officer is assaulting a constable even if the police officer assaulted was a sergeant or above and does not hold the rank title of constable.