I'm not sure how it would be for ChCh but I know in Auckland they prefer you attend a recruitment seminar first, and there they will give you an initial application form to fill out (the paperwork begins!) where you need to disclose quite a bit of information so they can assess your suitability.
This includes any health problems, so if you have a history of asthma for example you will have to gain medical clearance from your GP (usually just written) and then clearance from HQ in Wellington once they have received the paperwork. Same goes for any eye trouble etc.
As others have mentioned you also need a defensive driving certificate, current first aid certificate, and a swimming certificate.
The swimming certificate (which I had just got, but I will have to resit when I have another go as they expire after a while) entails being able to do the following:
* Swimming 50m within 54 seconds (freestyle)
* Treading water for 5 mins (within a 1m diameter max)
* Duck diving 3m down to retrieve a heavy rubber brick and then swimming 10m on your back carrying the brick across your chest with 2 hands
The first physical test (or series of tasks) you need to prepare for and then sit is the PAT or Physical Appraisal Test and requires you to do the following:
* Running 2.4km in 12m 54s if you are under 20, or in 11m 50s if you are between 20-29 (for females)
* A standing vertical jump of 40cm - it is tricky to explain but you stand side on to a wall and stretch your arm up to get your standing height, and then need to jump from where you are to hit 40cm above that first mark.
* 20 or more 'correctly executed continuous press-ups' for women (there is a certain technique they are looking for)
* A grip strength test - for women they are looking for a combined total (two hands together but tested seperately) 52kg
Then there are the Academic and Problem Solving tests, which some info for can be found at
www.newcops.co.nz There are also some books you can buy to help you study for these specific types of tests, although you can often also get them out from your local library.
There is also the PCT or the Physical Competency Test, which is a series of more focused physical tasks such as:
* A 200m run
* Pushing a trailer
* Walking along a raised beam
* Crawling under hurdles
* Scaling a wall and a wire fence
* Dragging a 74kg dummy
* Climbing through a window
There is a basic keyboard test but I reckon most people who have their own computer don't need to worry about that one too much!
Once all the tests are done, the paperwork is processed, your referees are contacted and you've gone through your interviews - then you go through SCOPE which is where you spend 40hrs on shift with the Police at your local station. You are given homework to do and will need to take notes etc that are passed back to your recruiting officer as well once SCOPE is complete.
THEN there is your final medical, and being placed in a 'wing' with a date for going down to Police College in Porirua for 19 weeks. You get most weekends off unless they need to run an assessment, and a weeks break in the middle of your training.
I definitely wouldn't say college 'isn't too hard' either as you need to really focus on both the academic and physical training during the day, make sure you study enough to pass all your assessments (of which there are a few), rest and eat well, and be ready to graduate!
I'm not really sure about waitlists, but the further south you go the longer they seem to get - as far as postings go that is. Whichever recruitment officer you get assigned will be able to give you a better idea about that kind of things.
Definitely ring 0800 NEW COPS to begin with and check out the link to the website that I put up earlier in my post. There is also a new and slightly more 'fun' website you can go to now at
www.playscope.co.nz which has a few neat little games and challenges to go through.
There is no doubt about it in my mind, it is an intense process - and it will take a lot out of you, especially if you have a young family. I have spent a short amount of time working for the Police in a different kind of role, and that in itself had unique stresses etc that you need to be prepared for.
If you have any other questions or want any other info just give me a shout as I probably have it all lying around here somewhere!
Sorry about the novel too
Police Force
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