‘I don’t talk about policing by consent’: Richard Chambers announced as new police commissioner
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has been chosen as the next police commissioner, replacing Andrew Coster.
Coster earlier announced he would be starting a new position as chief of the Social Investment Agency.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced Chambers had been appointed to replace Coster, beating Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming for the top role.
Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has been announced as the next police commissioner, replacing Andrew Coster.
Coster earlier announced he would be starting a new position as chief of the Social Investment Agency. He was due to finish up his role in April but resigned early to take up the position, beginning on November 11.
Coster took over the $700,000+ a year role in April 2020.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced Chambers had been appointed to replace Coster on Wednesday, beating Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming for the top role.
Mitchell said Chambers was “highly respected” and “a top leader with a deep understanding of frontline policing”.
“As a government, we’re backing police to deliver against this government’s law and order programme. Richard’s operational experience and proven track record of delivering change in complex and challenging operating operational environments can be a major asset for police and for this government.”
Chambers said it was an “absolute honour” to be selected as commissioner. Chambers had spent the year living in France, leading its global operations focused on organised and emerging crime.
“It is good to be home. To be able to come back and be with my family here, to be with my colleagues is special for me as well. To lead the organisation that I’ve been a part of for nearly 30 years is one of the highlights of my life so far.”
He gave a shout out to the frontline of New Zealand police.
“The men and women of New Zealand police do a stunning job, and they do a tough job. I’ve always admired them, and I’ll always continue to do my absolute best with my leadership team to ensure that they are supported in the roles that they do.”
Chambers said that he’d held various roles and responsibilities during his 30 years in police.
“But there’s one thing that will never change, and it won't change through my tenure as the Commissioner of New Zealand police, and that is that I am a constable and I’m a police officer, and that is really important to ensure that the work that we do stays focused on how we can support New Zealand police front line and the work that they do.”
He outlined four priorities that he would be focused on through his tenure as commissioner. They were, focusing on core policing, supporting the frontline, leadership, and fiscal management.
“Yes, we’re going through some tough times, but we will not only focus on ensuring value for money, the taxpayer’s dollars, and delivering the services for New Zealand leaders that are expected, but we will also look for opportunities to reinvest.”
Chambers said he would like to think New Zealand did not find themselves in a position where police were routinely armed.
“I don't think any of us want or need that.
“However, you know, policing globally is getting more volatile, it's getting more unpredictable, and I am not going to shut down listening to the reflections of my frontline staff in terms of what they might think they need. It's obviously a significant debate for our country. But I am open to having that conversation.”
Asked if he subscribed to policing by consent, he said he did not.
“I don’t talk about policing by consent. I talk about trust and confidence, and it is fundamentally important that the police have the trust and confidence of the public, and we’ve got some work to do at the moment.”
He was “frustated” to hear trust and confidence in policing was dropping globally.
“We’re in New Zealand. We can be different, and we will work very, very hard to strengthen trust and confidence in New Zealand police.”
Near the end of the press conference he told media how he got his nickname Felix.
“One of the things in policing is that we often attract nicknames, and I’m no different to any other police officer out there.”
“I will say that a couple of days into my role as a police officer, back in 1996 I had the unfortunate situation of having to deal with a small cat who had been injured, and it’s one of the reflections that I have on my nearly 30 years of policing, is that I’d rather not have to have dealt with that horrible situation, but I did, and as you do in policing, you find yourself with a nickname, and it’s lasted for a very long time. I think it will for my entire life.”
Police Association president Chris Cahill told Stuff Chambers was a “popular choice” among staff.
“He’s a personable commissioner who has worked across a lot of the country and he’s well-known. He’s got a good operational background and now you add his international experience that will add to his capabilities.
“But now it’s really you’ve got to step up and do the job. The hard work really starts now, he's got a lot of masters to please now as a commissioner and there’s a lot on his plate so he’s really going to have to step up and deliver now. It’s all well to be popular but he’s now got to produce the goods.”
Cahill believed Chambers would be “more relatable” to the public than Coster.
“Andrew was a big ideas guy and there’s a need for that at times, but I think Richard will be more relatable, with some more down to earth approach to things that the public will probably resonate with more.”
A police officer told Stuff there was a “real buzz around the stations” after learning of his appointment.
“Richard Chambers has consistently prioritised operational policing, and he has a genuine commitment to engaging with staff to identify ways to improve life for us.
“His ability to connect with frontline personnel has earned him significant respect within the ranks. We are thrilled to have a leader who wants to let police officers ‘police’.”
Another police officer told Stuff it was “great to have an outdoors leader focused not only on outcomes for communities, but also on the great people on the front line doing the mahi.”
According to a bio on Chambers on police’s website from 2021, Chambers joined police in 1996. Two years later he joined the Criminal Investigation Branch and later qualified as a detective.
“I held a range of frontline supervisory roles in Auckland City and Wellington Districts, working on some fascinating investigations that included an exorcism, a recluse and a foreign national who travelled the world taking advantage of opportunities using false credentials.”
In 2005, he was promoted to Inspector at Police National Headquarters. In 2007 he was appointed area commander in Lower Hutt and has also held the role of district commander in Tasman and Auckland.
He was promoted to assistant commissioner in 2016.
“This role required me to work closely with international law enforcement partners, global technology and internet providers and platforms such as Facebook and Google.
“In March 2020, I was tasked to co-lead New Zealand Police’s COVID-19 response. I am so proud of what our Police people have achieved in partnership with the rest of the country during this incredibly tough time.”
Chambers said he felt “privileged to be a police officer”.
Coster was the Commissioner of Police since 2020 when he replaced previous commissioner Mike Bush in the role.
He began his police career as a cadet at the Royal New Zealand Police College, graduating in 1997 and went on to hold multiple positions in the force, including frontline policing and investigative roles at Counties Manukau and Auckland Metro Crime.