The Police Force Act 1886 split the police from the earlier body known as the New Zealand Armed Constabulary, which had performed both civil policing functions as well as being the standing army and militia, on 1 September 1886. Sir George Whitmore was appointed as the first commissioner, reporting to the Minister of Defence. Early commissioners came from the
United Kingdom with military or law enforcement experience, such as Walter Dinnie, who had served as an
Inspector at
Scotland Yard. On 20 November 2024, Police Minister
Mark Mitchell announced that
Richard Chambers would be appointed as the new commissioner of police. Commissioner Chambers took over the position on 25 November 2024, replacing
Andrew Coster who had left the role on 11 November 2024. New Zealand Police Association president Chris Cahill has said Richard Chambers was a “popular choice” among police staff. Between the resignation of Andrew Coster on the 11 November 2024 and the appointment of Richard Chambers on the 25 November 2024 the first ever female commissioner of police, Tania Kura, was appointed for an interim term of 14 days. According to the
Public Service Commission, from 2021 to 2024 then commissioner of police, Andrew Coster, received a yearly salary of $670,000, making him tied for the sixth-highest pay among public sector leaders. ==List of commissioners==