The government has been asked to fund an Auckland based police training college to help reach its target of 500 additional officers in two years.
Figures released to Checkpoint show it will be almost impossible to deliver on that promise without significant recruitment changes.
In the past 4 years, the number of new police graduating from the wellington training college, currently the only one in the country, has been well below the facilities capacity.
Adding to that, a briefing to the government saying the current intake rates are probably only just enough to cover attrition.
Meanwhile, Checkpoint has discovered the cash strapped force is asking some police to return their body armour, so it can be given to others and has cut a number of special courses for sworn officers.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster speaks to Lisa Owen.
