Drop in police recruiting standards

[MotherBear]

Police recruit standards plummet
By EMILY WATT - The Dominion Post | Saturday, 23 June 2007

Public safety is at risk as the standard of police recruits plummets, a damning secret internal report reveals.

Police chiefs have been accused of "turning a blind eye" to the consequences of accepting sub-standard rookie officers - including one recruit who had to be taught how to write the alphabet.

Many criminals and members of the public would be able to outsmart some officers, the report warns.

"Some of our staff are in a very vulnerable position and some of the public are probably being placed at risk or offered very poor service.

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