The Commissioner of Police is the head of the New Zealand Police and the position is currently held by Richard Chambers. The Commissioner is appointed for a term not exceeding five years by the Governor-General, and reports to the Minister of Police. The position combines two functions, that of chief constable in charge of policing and cases, and chief executive responsible for assets and budgeting. The rank insignia is a sword and a rectangular cylinder crossed over each other with a single crown above. In military terms, the rank is equivalent to Lieutenant General.

History

The Police Force Act 1886 split the police from the earlier body known as the New Zealand Armed Constabulary, which had performed both civil policing functions as well as being the standing army and militia, on 1 September 1886. Sir George Whitmore was appointed as the first commissioner, reporting to the Minister of Defence. Early commissioners came from the United Kingdom with military or law enforcement experience, such as Walter Dinnie, who had served as an Inspector at Scotland Yard. On 20 November 2024, Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced Richard Chambers who is commonly known by his nickname Felix, will be appointed as the new Commissioner of Police, Richard Chambers took over the position on 25 November 2024 replacing Andrew Coster who left the role on 11 November 2024. New Zealand Police Association president Chris Cahill has said Richard Chambers was a “popular choice” among police staff. Between the resignation of Andrew Coster on the 11 November 2024 and the appointment of Richard Chambers on the 25 November 2024 the first ever female Commissioner of Police Tania Kura was appointed for an interim term of 14 days. According to the Public Service Commission, from 2021 to 2024 then Commissioner of Police, Andrew Coster received a salary of $670,000, making him tied for the sixth-highest pay among public sector leaders.

List of commissioners