Fingerprint Assistant 1

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 16,000 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 and achieve long-term change.

Fingerprint Assistant - Canterbury

• Based at Christchurch Police Station
• Band D (progress to Band H once qualified)
• Police Employee
• Permanent - Full Time
• Nationally Advertised Vacancy
• JR 5768909

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

Do you enjoy problem solving and are you interested in a career in forensic science?

Do you want to join a highly motivated and enthusiastic team?

This is a paid 'on the job' training position which involves undertaking a five-year training and development programme to qualify as a Fingerprint Officer. You will need to commit to a programme of study and pass all practical, theory and oral examinations at regular intervals throughout the training programme. This requires a significant amount of workplace learning and self-directed study. A Diploma in the Science of Fingerprints is awarded on successful completion of the programme. You will occasionally need to attend short block courses in Wellington and work away from Christchurch.

You may be required to participate in an on-call roster and the position could include weekend work and/or shifts.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work in both office and laboratory settings.
• Attend all manner of serious crime scenes in any of the Police Districts served by the South Island Team (requiring travel with little notice).
• Attend the mortuary.
• Present testimony in court.

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.

• Have a tertiary degree in science (or alternative), forensic papers an advantage
• Be medically fit with excellent eyesight (can wear corrective lenses)
• Have a practical aptitude for science and technical work
• Demonstrate strong computer literacy and sound English language skills
• Have a current driver license
• Enjoy problem solving and be able to focus on tasks for long periods

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• Must reside in the Canterbury District.
• Please note, this role is also open to Fingerprint officers currently employed by National Fingerprint Services up to and including Band I.
• This role is based in the Canterbury. Some travel may be required

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://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/02-2026/fingerprint_assistant_or_assistant_fingerprint_officer.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

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 at $71,398 increasing after successful completion of examination steps and once qualified will move to $98,771.

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 Friday 6th March 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 sally.french@police.govt.nz