At this point you’ll attend a formal interview with a Selection Specialist who will be looking for qualities essential to being a Police Officer.

You’ll need to share examples of times when you’ve worked well with others, solved problems, communicated clearly, and completed tasks. For each example, you’ll be asked to describe the situation, your actions, and the outcome. These examples can come from work, study, volunteering, or personal life. We’ll ask questions to better understand who you are, what motivates you, and how your values align with those of New Zealand Police. It’s important to remember that our selection process for Officer roles is designed to identify the most suitable candidates through a comprehensive and holistic evaluation. Your application is assessed based on your overall suitability and how well you align with the role requirements compared to the wider candidate pool.

This means: 

  • Integrated Review Every stage of your application - from your initial submission to interviews and assessments - contributes to a cumulative understanding of your skills, experience, and potential.
  • Best Fit Selection We aim to identify candidates who demonstrate the strongest overall qualifications and potential to excel as Police Officers, ensuring the best fit for both the role and our organisation.
  • Continuous Evaluation Your journey through the recruitment process is viewed as a progressive assessment, with decisions based on the strength of your complete profile and performance across all stages. 

We encourage you to demonstrate your full potential at every stage of the recruitment process. We’re looking for well-rounded individuals who bring a strong mix of character, capability, and commitment to policing.

Interview Competencies

Interview competencies refer to the skills, behaviours, and attributes we assess to determine your suitability for the role. These go beyond technical qualifications, focusing on how you work, collaborate, and solve problems. By providing specific examples that demonstrate your competencies, you show that you're ready to contribute effectively to the team.

Communication

Engages with others clearly and effectively, listening actively and adapting communication to suit different people and situations.

Decision making

Makes sound, well-reasoned decisions by evaluating information, assessing risks, and taking accountability for outcomes.

Continuous improvement

Takes ownership of personal growth by reflecting on performance, seeking feedback, and making ongoing efforts to improve.

Pressure management

Maintains focus, composure, and consistent performance when working under stress or in challenging conditions.

Conflict de-escalation

Manages conflict calmly and constructively, using empathy and tact to reduce tension and maintain respectful relationships.

Partnering

Demonstrates awareness, respect, and responsiveness to others’ needs and individual differences. Takes a collaborative approach when engaging with others.

Wellness and caring for others (Whakamana)

Upholds the dignity of others by creating open-minded, respectful, and psychologically safe interactions and environments.
Police Values

Everything we do at New Zealand Police is about ensuring people are safe and feel safe. To enable us to deliver on this commitment we are guided by our core values. These values inform the way we work, operate and make decisions. Our values reflect what is important to us and the communities we serve.

Professionalism

 

Our employees take pride in representing Police and making a difference in our communities. Behaving professionally - combined with specialist skills and expertise - is essential to ensuring our colleagues and communities feel safe and are safe.

Respect

 

Police treat everyone with dignity, uphold individual rights, and honour their freedoms. We treat others as we would want to be treated. Being respectful toward colleagues and the communities we serve builds trust and confidence in our organisation.

Integrity

 

Police employees need to be honest and uphold excellent ethical standards. Our integrity as individuals and as an organisation, is critical to building the trust and confidence of our colleagues and the communities we serve.

Commitment to Māori and the Treaty

Police act in good faith and respect the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi: partnership, protection, and participation.

Empathy

 

Police seek to understand and consider the experiences and perspectives of the people we serve. It’s about walking in other people’s shoes. Better outcomes are achieved when we appreciate situations from the point of view of those we serve, work alongside, and represent.

Valuing Diversity

Recognising different perspectives and experiences helps us improve what we do. Reflecting the communities we serve and appreciating diverse ways of thinking and living leads to better problem-solving and results.
What Questions Will I Be Asked?

You’ll be asked to describe experiences that demonstrate each of the interview competencies. These may include both positive and challenging situations. You’ll need to explain the context, your actions, and the outcome. Examples can come from any area of your life. 

Interviewers may ask follow-up questions to clarify your specific actions. Focus on what you did — not what others did or what should have happened. 

When responding to interview questions for each competency, we recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result).

This structured approach helps you stay focused and clearly demonstrate your skills and experiences in a concise and effective way. 

Be Yourself in Your Interview Responses 

During the interview, we encourage you to speak genuinely and share real experiences. The interview is designed to understand how you think, act and respond in real-world situations, not to hear idealised or rehearsed answers. Avoid the temptation of creating examples you think we “want to hear" or using AI to generate responses.

We’re looking for people who show integrity, self-awareness, and a commitment to learning.

Honest reflection - even about imperfect experiences - helps us understand your potential and how you might grow within Police.

During the process the Selection Specialist will also take you through questions to confirm information that you may have provided us already (such as swimming or background information). This is a normal part of the process and is just another opportunity to reconfirm information and update anything that has changed for you.

Handy Interview Tips

Preparing for your interview is key to making a strong impression. Practice speaking confidently and professionally and remember to listen carefully to each question. These tips help you stay focused, present your best self, and demonstrate the qualities that make you a great fit for policing. 

  • The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel.
  • Make sure you are well-rested to perform your best!
  • You’re welcome to bring notes to guide your responses and ask questions.
  • Think about experiences that reflect our values and competencies.
  • Be honest—if something didn’t go well, share what you learned.
  • Be ready to talk about your skills, achievements, and work style.
  • Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth.
What's next?

Once your interview is complete, a Recruitment Specialist will assess your responses to determine your suitability for the role. You’ll then be contacted to confirm whether you’re progressing to the next stage of the recruitment process.

If successful, the remaining steps may include:

  • Final background checks (e.g. references, medical clearance, and any additional vetting required)
  • Physical Appraisal Test (PAT) and SCOPE assessment, depending on your current progress
  • Entry into the candidate pool for wing selection to attend the Royal New Zealand Police College for 20 weeks of training
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