Police say they do not collate statistics on how many staff members are former refugees, but they are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the wider community. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police are reaching out to refugees as part of a recruitment drive, saying more diverse voices are needed on the beat.
Ethnic and former refugee officers were at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre at the weekend, giving those who are newly arrived in the country a chance to get to know the job.
Many said they came from countries where the police were not trusted, but they were keen to see what the New Zealand police force had to offer.
It was standing room only as refugees listened to what it took to be a police officer.
Maya Shamiah came from Syria. "I'm really interested to be here because I'm interested in law, especially criminal law," she said.
"I want to learn more about police, about law, how they work, how they're helping people."
Shamiah said the police force she experienced in Syria was starkly different from New Zealand.
"In Syria, you can't trust police officers," she said.
"They are very angry... you can't contact with them, when you want to contact, they are like 'what do you want', and maybe (they) will punch you."
Constable Atif Jumakhan was at the resettlement centre about 10 years ago, after arriving from Pakistan.
"Couldn't speak English at all, couldn't understand English at all, and we had a similar event where police came," he said.
"They told us what is police, what services they provide, how can we approach them, and that was like really a sort of calling sign for me."
Jumakhan said connecting with the community was hugely important in his job.
"People coming here from different countries, mostly countries where they don't trust the authorities, they don't trust the police," he said.
"Sitting there, welcoming them, having a chat with them, opening them, sitting at their level with them and telling them 'yes, you can trust us, we are not the same authority, we are all about trust and confidence, and just appreciating the values you bring,'."
Fellow constable Zeena Ali agreed.
"Coming from an ethnic background, coming to events such as this where we share our experiences, it kind of gives them the trust and the confidence in the police," she said.
"It also shows that New Zealand is actually a safe place.
"While you may have these issues in your home country, but coming into this country, we're all about the community, and we do everything we can to serve the community."
Police said they did not collate statistics on how many staff members were former refugees, but they were dedicated to building a workforce that reflected the wider community.
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello also attended, and said the diversity ethnic communities brought to police was important.
"That's the part, both from a language perspective but culturally, the way people handle stress, or problems, or family conflicts is very different.
"If you can identify or you can see in the face of someone that's reaching out to you that they understand you, then I think that breaks down a lot of barriers."
Shamiah was clear about what she thought was the most important quality a police officer could have.
"I think they have to be kind," she said.
Police said they were looking for people who were fit, smart, and had the right attitude and personal qualities.
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