Missing the beat? Get Back in Blue!

Register your interest to rejoin

We want to hear from former New Zealand Police officers who are interested in rejoining.

Once you register your interest our dedicated rejoin team will be in touch to talk through what opportunities are available and what the processes might look like depending on your personal circumstances.

If you have any questions, you can contact rejoins@police.govt.nz 

Rejoin Process

Every rejoin is managed on a case-by-case basis, but the process will typically include the below steps.

1. Submit a ‘Registration of Interest’

Once you register your interest, one of our team will contact you and establish what opportunities you are looking for. You'll be asked to provide some basic information about yourself, your skills and experiences, especially those gained since being away from the organisation.

2. Background Checks

Recruitment will complete background checks, including Professional Conduct. Recruitment staff will also contact your previous District / Service Centre / National Workgroup to see if the relevant District Commander or Director (in consultation with other senior leaders) supports your return to NZ Police.

3. Applying for Vacancies

All rejoins are recruited into specific vacancies. For former staff seeking Constable or Detective positions, they may be able to join directly into a vacancy, provided they meet the rejoin criteria (which includes District support). Opportunities may vary, as not all districts hold vacancies for Constables or Detectives. Our rejoin team can discuss direct entry opportunities and criteria with you.

4. The Offer Process

Once you’ve completed all necessary selection requirements (including medical clearance and current PCT), and obtained the appropriate approvals, you'll progress to offer stage. At this time, remuneration details and start date will be confirmed and an individual Training Plan Assessment will be provided by Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC). 

5. Onboarding to Police Employment

In your first four to six weeks back in District, you’ll complete your training plan requirements, which you can expect will mostly consist of online modules except for Frontline Safety Training and First Aid training. When your training has been completed, RNZPC will verify this, and arrange formal attestation to be held within District. After the formal attestation procedure, you'll then have your constabulary powers fully restored and will be able to undertake Police duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the ‘Registration of Interest’ database?

The Recruitment team now uses a ‘Registration of Interest’ database for those interested in returning to Police. 

Once you register your interest our dedicated rejoin team will be in touch to talk through what opportunities are available and what the process might look like depending on your personal circumstances.

This makes it easy for potential Rejoins to be emailed approved constabulary vacancies that Rejoins can apply for.

I left more than seven years ago, am I eligible to rejoin?

In most cases a rejoin will need to be appointed to a position and commenced work for Police prior to the seven-year anniversary of their previous cessation of employment.

If you register your interest, our dedicated rejoin team will be in touch and you can discuss your personal circumstances and whether you are eligible to rejoin.

If you aren't eligible to follow the rejoin process you are still able to apply to join and prior experience will be taken into account after you have completed training.

Can my time to rejoin be extended to account for the pause in hiring rejoins - from March 2020 to December 2021?

No.

I didn’t complete my probationary period, can I rejoin?

As the Police moves to a vacancy-based approach, Probationary Constables may not be suited for the positions advertised to Rejoins due to the limitations of not completing their Career Foundation Initial Training.

We invite probationary officers to register their interest in rejoining however probationary officers need to be aware that they may find it challenging to be shortlisted for vacancies as they may not meet the requirements of the role.

A former Police Officer who wishes to rejoin and did not obtain a permanent appointment may be eligible to reapply as a Recruit - provided District support for the appointment is obtained.

Can I rejoin at the rank I resigned on?

Rejoins will normally re-enter NZ Police as Constables or Detectives (if Detective qualified) and then apply for roles at a higher rank if previously qualified to do so. Some people choose to go through the rejoin process and wait to obtain a meritorious position before re-entering the NZ Police.

For example:

  • If you resigned as a Sergeant, you can directly re-enter as a PST Constable, then apply for a Sergeant's position on merit. Alternatively, you can be approved to rejoin and then apply on merit for a Sergeant's position.
  • If you resigned as a Detective and want to be placed in a Detective's role you will be placed as a Detective.
I previously had an application to rejoin declined; am I eligible to apply again?

Please contact us for guidance before registering your interest. 

Once I’ve submitted my Registration of Interest, how long does it take?

The process is highly variable depending on the roles the rejoin is interested in and the district they are wanting to go to.

Those eventually selected as the preferred applicant for a Rejoin-approved vacancy, need to keep in mind that it may still take some time to complete the requirements of the selection process.

Do rejoin applicants have to do the PAT or a first aid certificate?

No, these are no longer requirements of the process. They will be required to complete the PCT.