Public trust in the police has fallen nearly 12% over the past five years, a survey suggests.
The Horizon Research survey found overall net trust in the police among those it questioned has dropped 11.6 % to 59.9% during the past five years.
Some 24.3% said that, compared with five years ago, they trusted police less, 59.9% the same and 12.7% more.
The police scored highly in their handling of road safety and protecting life.
Horizon Research says the decline in trust appeared to relate to the way police handle complaints against its officers and a perception of heavy-handed treatment of the raids in Te Urewera in 2007 and another targeting the Dotcom mansion.
Of those questioned, 76.3% thought the Independent Police Conduct Authority should have the power to initiate a prosecution against police officers if it thinks it is necessary.
The survey of 756 people has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6%.
