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- Tasks: Manage the health and safety of detainees with empathy and professionalism.
- Company: Join the New Zealand Police, dedicated to community safety and crime prevention.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and opportunities for personal growth in a dynamic role.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, resilience, and a commitment to teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 74748 - 78129 £ per year.
Based in Christchurch, this is a permanent position with multiple openings. Starting salary is $74,748.
About the role
As a New Zealand Police Custody Officer, you will join our highly skilled and professional team to manage the health and safety of detainees whilst they are in our custody and during transit. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Custody Unit based in Christchurch. As a Custody Officer, you will manage and maintain the welfare of people detained in our care across our Custody Suite and local Courts. Through an empathetic approach, you treat everyone in a dignified manner regardless of their circumstances.
Key Accountabilities:
- Uncover and collect information using your active listening and communication skills.
- Be resilient when faced with adverse situations, maintaining composure, and working alongside team members to mitigate and de-escalate potential risk.
- Work collaboratively with external stakeholders to ensure appropriate care and support for vulnerable detainees is available.
- Adapt to change in a fluid operational environment, remain vigilant to detainee needs and maintain high standards of professionalism that align with our business.
- Demonstrate commitment to ongoing training.
What you’ll bring
We are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, but we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others. The successful applicants will have the following skills and attributes:
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Resilience and perseverance, with the ability to de-escalate situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Strong attention to detail, accurate and precise, with the ability to record and prepare information such as statements for court.
- Duty of care, understanding the welfare, health, safety, and level of care required for detainees.
- Strong team player, reliable, trustworthy, flexible to work shifts, weekends, public holidays.
- Decisive, cool, calm, and collected, can think on your feet, using your initiative and work well under pressure.
- Good computer skills and are comfortable learning new systems, as you will be required to input and update data accurately in Police systems; accurate typing abilities are essential.
Special requirements
To be eligible to apply you must:
- Hold a full New Zealand Driver Licence (Class 2 license would be highly beneficial).
- Be a New Zealand citizen or hold permanent residence.
- Be physically fit and able to complete a fitness assessment as part of your recruitment process.
- Be willing to complete a pre-employment Medical Assessment (including a drug test).
- Be able to work a variety of shifts (two early shifts, two evening shifts & two overnight shifts) including weekends and public holidays, on a 6 days on, 4 days off rota.
This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level.
About us
New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas. Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level.
Apply now
Please note: Applications submitted directly through the Government Jobs Website are no longer considered. Please visit our Police Careers page and apply that way. If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.
All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or hold permanent residence.
Salary
This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $74,748.00 and $78,129.00 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.
If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Mark.Cain@police.govt.nz. Advert closes at 5pm, Sunday 17th May 2026.
Custody Officer in Canterbury employer: Mō te tūnga | About the role
Contact Detail:
Mō te tūnga | About the role Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Custody Officer in Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Research what a Custody Officer does and understand the key responsibilities. This will help you speak confidently about how your skills align with the job during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former Custody Officers on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider tips and might even refer you for the position, giving you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since strong verbal and written communication is key for this role, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your responses and get comfortable talking about your experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Tailor your CV to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and don’t forget to showcase your resilience and teamwork abilities!
We think you need these skills to ace Custody Officer in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Custody Officer role. Highlight your communication skills, resilience, and any relevant experience that shows you can handle the responsibilities of managing detainees with care.
Showcase Your Values: We want to see how your values align with ours. In your application, share examples of how you've demonstrated empathy and professionalism in challenging situations. This will help us understand your mindset and approach.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, attention to detail is key, so double-check for any typos or errors!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our Police Careers page! We won’t consider applications sent via email, so make sure you submit everything online. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mō te tūnga | About the role
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Custody Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key accountabilities listed in the job description, such as managing detainee welfare and maintaining professionalism. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Custody Officer, strong communication is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've effectively communicated, especially in challenging situations. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Adaptability
Be ready to discuss how you've handled stressful or adverse situations in the past. Think of specific examples where you maintained composure and worked collaboratively with others to de-escalate a situation. This will highlight your resilience and adaptability, which are key traits for a Custody Officer.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and what success looks like in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values and career goals.