23 Nov 2011

Labour claims all police recruiting for next year being deferred

10:01 pm on 23 November 2011

Labour Party leader Phil Goff says all police recruiting for next year is being deferred but the announcement won't be made until after Saturday's election.

Mr Goff made the claim in a televised debate with National Party leader John Key.

But National's law and order spokesperson Judith Collins says the information is wrong.

On Television New Zealand on Wednesday, Phil Goff pushed John Key for answers on the supposed recruitment freeze.

But Mr Key didn't directly address Mr Goff's accusations saying he expects every government department and every arm of government to work hard to save money.

National's law and order spokesperson Judith Collins says Phil Goff's information is wrong, although she says one intake of police recruits in July next year has been delayed because serving officers are staying on.