New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.

We're working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver `Our Business' and achieve long-term change.

Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO)

• Based in Waitemata
• Permanent- Full Time
• JR 5981638

E tu ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e nga ngaru o te wa.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mo te tunga | About the role

Waitemata District is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated, and professional staff member to be part of the District Forensic Team as a Scene of Crime Officer, based at Henderson.

This is an opportunity for those who have a passion for forensic investigation and seek to increase their skills, knowledge, and experience through forensic service delivery.

You will be working with an energetic team, examining a range of volume crime and other scenes to preserve all relevant evidence. You will become an integral member of a team dedicated to achieving fewer victimizations, reducing re-offending, and increasing trust and confidence amongst the many victims you will deal with directly.

You will often be deployed solo, and expected to engage with the public, offer prevention advice, and deliver a forensic service.

Training and equipment will be provided by the district.
Those without course qualifications (if successful) will need to attend courses in Wellington, and then complete module-based assessments to advance bands, following the SOCO career structure.

Lung Function testing is an annual occurrence, so a good state of health for your lungs is necessary.

Key Accountabilities:

• Secure and preserve crime scenes by establishing cordons and preventing contamination to ensure integrity of evidence.
• Conduct thorough forensic examinations including photography, fingerprinting, trace, biological and impression evidence at a variety of volume crime scenes.
• Package, label and maintain a clear chain of custody for all collected evidence, before submitting it to forensic laboratories for analysis.
• Complete comprehensive documentation of all scene actions and evidence
• Attend post-mortems and other specialist operations as directed, assisting with forensic procedures such as fingerprinting the deceased when required.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to manage scene logistics and maintain procedural standards.
• Provide public-facing engagement at scenes offering prevention advice, reassurance and clear communication with victims and bystanders.
• Prepare detailed court statements, exhibit materials, and give testimony in court as required, supporting legal proceedings.
• Operate solo in the field, applying sound judgment and initiative while working independently on assigned shifts including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
• Maintain operational readiness through regular health, ongoing training, and equipment maintenance in line with District standards.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you'll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, 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.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

Position is open to all current police employees / SOCOs and SOCO2 positions

Shifts and Structure:

There are two teams working cooperatively. One team covering North and East Area with a Supervisor and 7. The 2nd covers West with a Supervisor and 6, however there is crossover pending workload as and when required. both have a mix of Constabulary and Police Employee staff.

Shifts are a mix of Early (7-3pm) (9-5pm) and Late Shifts (12-8pm) following a 4-week roster including weekend and Public Holiday work, Overtime is not generally expected but on rare occasions scene work may carry over the stated shifts times and require OT.

Successful applicants home station will become Henderson and substantive position Scene of Crime Officer.

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://teams.sp.police.govt.nz/pac/od/pd/Documents/District-based%20Position%20Descriptions/Scene%20of%20Crime%20Officer%20-%20Trainee%20or%20Assistant%20or%20Scene%20of%20Crime%20Officer%201.pdf

Mo tatou | 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. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you'll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono inaianei | Apply now

For employees affected by restructuring, (provided minimum capability requirements are met) you have preferential right of appointment to any relevant vacant position within Police that is at the same remuneration band or lower Organisational Review and Redesign policy | Ten One - New Zealand Police Intranet

If this position sounds like you, click apply now. You will be required to submit an application form and a chronological list of previous roles that covers the role title and the date/duration (this is a mandatory requirement and replaces a CV).

Please use the link below to see an example of the correct CV format: https://tenone.police.govt.nz/media/15377

Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken. For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

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.

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Utu a-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement, and salary will commence between $69,337 and $87,306 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on 10th of July 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact wolf.ahsue@police.govt.nz