Patterns in Police Apprehensions in New Zealand 2005/06 to 2008/09

Patterns in Police Apprehensions in New Zealand 2005/06 to 2008/09 uses official New Zealand police apprehension statistics between the 2005/06 and 2008/09 police fiscal years to explore three aspects of police apprehensions.

Within the criminal justice system, the New Zealand Police provide the crucial first response to crime, after which offenders are filtered through the courts and, ultimately, the prison system. The initial police phase of the criminal justice system impacts upon the lives of many New Zealanders. It is important to have a clear understanding of this area, both in terms of the people affected and the resources expended.

The first aspect of police apprehensions describes the offences that make up the apprehensions environment, looking at offence composition and trends. The second aspect of this report looks at the differences in resolution type, such as prosecution or warning/caution, between each type of offence, and investigates the relationship between offence seriousness and resolution type. Finally, the third aspect of this report looks at the demographic variables of age and gender in relation to the type of offence. As well as using raw volumes, the report also incorporates the Ministry of Justice seriousness scale to shed new light on the intensity of offences being committed, who is committing them, and how they are being dealt with.

Geoff Bascand 

Government Statistician

Reproduction of material 

Material in this report may be reproduced and published, provided that it does not purport to be published under government authority and that acknowledgement is made of this source.

Citation 

Statistics New Zealand (2010). Patterns in police apprehensions in New Zealand 2005/06 to 2008/09. 

Wellington: Statistics New Zealand

Patterns in Police Apprehensions in New Zealand 2005/06 to 2008/09 (PDF, 87 pages, 1.09mb)