Richard Chambers became Commissioner of Police on 25 November 2024. On his first day as Commissioner, he outlined his high-level priorities:
- Focus on core policing – enforcing the law – prevention, response, investigations, and resolutions. Doing the basics well.
- Supporting the frontline – enhancing staff safety, well-being, and capability.
- Leadership – that is visible, connected, supportive and accountable.
- Fiscal responsibility – including identifying opportunities to reinvest in the frontline.
Richard joined Police on 22 January 1996, and was posted to Auckland City District on graduation. After two years in frontline general duties, he joined CIB and later qualified as a detective.
He held a number of supervisory roles, in Auckland City and later Wellington Districts at sergeant and senior sergeant level. In 2005 he was promoted to the rank of inspector in a role leading the development of strategy and policy at Police National Headquarters.
In 2007 he was promoted to the position of Lower Hutt Area Commander, during which time he also served as relieving Wellington District Commander. It was at this time that he became involved in kapa haka as a way of deepening his understanding of te reo Māori, tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
He returned to PNHQ to lead the Mobility workstream of the Policing Excellence programme, which led in 2013 to the introduction of iPhones for Police staff.
Richard was promoted to superintendent and took the role of Tasman District Commander in February 2012, also relieving as Southern District Commander for six months.
He exchanged one of Police’s most geographically diverse and sparsely populated districts for the smallest and one of the most densely populated on appointment as District Commander of Auckland City in 2014.
In 2016 Richard was appointed Assistant Commissioner, leading investigations, serious and organised crime, including cybercrime, and financial crime.
During his time as Assistant Commissioner: Investigations, Serious and Organised Crime, he initiated the development and implementation of the Investigations Management Tool, which has become one of the most significant enablers for investigators across the country. He also led the design and implementation of the Reintegration programme to support Police staff involved in critical incidents.
With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand in early 2020, Richard became co-lead of the New Zealand Police response.
In 2020 he was appointed Assistant Commissioner: Districts, supporting Northland, Waitematā, Auckland City, Counties Manukau, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty policing districts, later expanding to include Central and Eastern Districts.
In 2022 he served as National Controller of Operation Convoy, the policing of the 23-day illegal occupation of Parliament Grounds and surrounding streets, and in 2023 as the National Controller for Operation Gabrielle, the Police response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Richard headed overseas in 2024, taking on a role with INTERPOL as Director of Organised and Emerging Crime, based in Lyon, France. This role is responsible for global operations and strategy development focused on criminal networks, vulnerable communities and illicit markets including environmental crime.
Richard holds academic qualifications including an Executive Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce.
