Proactive release of papers relating to Tactical Response Model

In the fast-moving dynamic environment, we operate in, we want our people to be safe and feel safe every day they come to work. That means having the right tools, training, and support to do their job safely and effectively.

In 2020 the Frontline Safety Improvement Programme (FSIP) was established in response to the murder of Constable Matthew Hunt and against the background of an increasingly challenging operational policing environment.

FSIP’s focus is to keep our frontline safe as they undertake the daily challenges of delivering policing services across New Zealand.

During 2020, FSIP initiated work on the Tactical Response Model (TRM), which has been created with our people and informed by community engagement. 

The TRM is a safety system designed to ensure the frontline is trained, equipped, and supported to keep themselves and communities safer. 

Using evidence from the Tactical Response Model: Evaluation Report, Cabinet agreed in December 2022 to draw down the tagged contingency funding to enable the phased national roll-out of the final design of the TRM.

In March 2023 Police announced a nationwide roll out of the TRM.

We are now proactively releasing the following papers:

• BR-22-78CH – Tactical Response Model Final Evaluation
• BR-22-98CH – Draft Cabinet paper seeking release of post-2022/23 funding to enable national implementation of the Tactical Response Model
• SWC-22-MIN-0245 – Enabling National Implementation of the New Zealand Police Tactical Response Model
• Cabinet Paper – Enabling National Implementation of the New Zealand Police Tactical Response Model.

Previous releases

In early 2021 Cabinet agreed in principle that the TRM be implemented by Police to improve frontline safety of Police Staff, subject to internal and external consultation to refine the model. The following papers were proactively released on this page in January 2022 (further information including PDFs can be found below):

• BR-21-66 Frontline Safety Improvement
• IPR-21-216 Frontline Safety Improvement – detailed financial implications
• Consultation and engagement for Police’s Frontline Safety proposals
• CBC-21-MIN-0096 – Investing in Police Frontline Safety
• Cabinet Paper – Investing in Police Frontline Safety
• Appendix A – TRM Model
• Appendix B – TRM Options Analysis.

In November 2022 the Evidence Based Policing Centre proactively released the Tactical Response Model: Evaluation Report which showed fewer assaults and injuries to frontline staff, and fewer incidents requiring use of force in areas the TRM was trialled.

Key sections of the Official Information Act under which information has been withheld

Certain information in the documents has been withheld under one or more of the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982:

• Information is withheld under section 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons
• Information is withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) in order to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.
• Information is withheld under section 9(2)(g)(i) in order to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions.

Other helpful links:

• NZ Police webpage on the Tactical Response Model
• Proactive Release of the Evidence Based Policing Centre's Tactical Response Model: Evaluation Report.