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Detective - How to get into this job

Kaihōpara Taihara

Entry Requirements

To become a detective you need to have:

spent two years as a probationary constable on entering the NZ Police
be invited to become a uniformed attachment (a constable who works alongside a specialist unit) to the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB)
been accepted into, and have passed the CIB selection and induction process (three and a half weeks long)
completed two and a half years of detective training (mostly on the job).

New Cops website - information on how to become a police officer

"You've got to be committed to the study that comes along with becoming a detective. The detective training course, which runs for more than two years, is difficult – your detective rank is not given to you. That’s why it’s such a respected designation throughout the police force."

Brett - Detective

Secondary Education

Although there are no specific secondary education requirements for entering police officer training. NCEA Level 2 English and maths may be useful as the police entrance exams test both subjects to this level.

Get help with choosing school subjects

Relevant courses

Police Studies

Training on the job

Detectives gain skills on the job and on police training courses.

Useful Experience

All detectives must first gain experience as police officers. Experience in dealing with people or being part of a team environment (such as a sports team) is also helpful, as is a reasonable amount of life experience.

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Updated September 2009

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