Maintains public order, and enforces laws by investigating crimes, patrolling public areas and arresting suspected offenders.

Investigates and prosecutes offences; secures and examines crime and accident scenes to obtain evidence; protects witnesses and investigates corruption; maintains public order and safety; patrols assigned areas to prevent public disturbance and crime; investigates accidents, crimes, minor offences and citizens' complaints, gathering evidence, and pursuing, arresting and interviewing suspected offenders; tests drivers suspected of using alcohol/other drugs and issues infringement notices for traffic offences; directs and re-routes traffic at congested areas; attends meetings and answers inquiries; provides advice and assistance to crime victims and their families; keeps records and prepares reports.

• Employees work indoors and frequently travel in police vehicles and may escort offenders. Police stations and vehicles are adequately heated and ventilated, but police officers work outside in all weather conditions.
• Police officers deal with dangerous situations arising out of attending crime scenes and taking part in investigations. The work may be stressful, distressing and hazardous.

• Sedentary to heavy physical demand levels. Heavy lifting, pulling or carrying is likely on an occasional basis, particularly when physical restraint is required to make an arrest. Employees frequently sit, walk, stand and run and occasionally stretch and reach when attempting to apprehend offenders. Intermittent bending is required. Twisting of the body or neck, and squatting or crouching is likely to be necessary.
• Contact with skin irritants or water may occur but is not significant.
• Repetitive movements may be required when writing notes and typing data and reports into a computer.
• Driving is required frequently to constantly, occasionally at high speeds.
• Use of a range of electronic communication and policing equipment is required.
• Mental skills necessary include a high level of communication, problem-solving, interviewing, record-keeping and analytical skills.

Police candidates must: be a New Zealand citizen or have permanent residency status, and be living in New Zealand permanently; pass psychological, numeracy, literacy, digital literacy (computer/keyboard), verbal, abstract reasoning, physical fitness, general health and eyesight assessments; be at least 18 years of age at the time of graduation from the Royal New Zealand Police College; have a Workplace First Aid Certificate, a full motor vehicle driver's licence, an Advanced Driving Skills Certificate and a Swimming Certificate of Competency (ANZSCO Skill Level 2). All previous convictions must be notified and some convictions will automatically be result in rejection.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited