Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
New Zealand Police
Text
Amend Police Standard Operating Procedures to include early engagement of the Police dive squad in maritime responses, when appropriate, to take advantage of their expertise and knowledge in water rescue.
Reply Text
I confirm all four finalised recommendations are accepted by New Zealand Police and are being implemented.
Recommendation ownership, progress and timeframes
The owners of each recommendation, along with a description of actions taken or anticipated to be taken, as well as indicative timeframes, are outlined below.
[016/25]
The owner of this recommendation is Police’s Director - Major Operations (Superintendent Joel Lamb), with the support of Director - Tactical Operations (Superintendent Penny Gifford).
This recommendation is Being Implemented. The Search and Rescue chapter of the Police Manual is currently being reviewed by our Major Operations team, in conjunction with the Police National Dive Squad.
We expect this recommendation to be completed by 30 June 2025.
On 24 September 2025, New Zealand Police provided an updated response:
The Emergency Communications and Dispatch Group (ECD) has reviewed their emergency response SOPs and updated guidance for dispatchers and incident controllers during Category 1 SAR operations. The updated SOPs confirm that dispatchers and incident controllers are authorised to commit resources (including Police National Dive Squad) for all Cat 1 SAR operations where there is a life-threatening situation in or on water (including lakes, rivers, estuaries or seas).
Major Operations Group has also reviewed Police’s operational policy for Search and Rescue to ensure alignment with the updated SOPs. The Search and Rescue policy now includes a link which directs staff to the ECD’s updated SOPs.
Comment – Police considers this recommendation has now been Implemented.
Recommendation ownership, progress and timeframes
The owners of each recommendation, along with a description of actions taken or anticipated to be taken, as well as indicative timeframes, are outlined below.
[016/25]
The owner of this recommendation is Police’s Director - Major Operations (Superintendent Joel Lamb), with the support of Director - Tactical Operations (Superintendent Penny Gifford).
This recommendation is Being Implemented. The Search and Rescue chapter of the Police Manual is currently being reviewed by our Major Operations team, in conjunction with the Police National Dive Squad.
We expect this recommendation to be completed by 30 June 2025.
On 24 September 2025, New Zealand Police provided an updated response:
The Emergency Communications and Dispatch Group (ECD) has reviewed their emergency response SOPs and updated guidance for dispatchers and incident controllers during Category 1 SAR operations. The updated SOPs confirm that dispatchers and incident controllers are authorised to commit resources (including Police National Dive Squad) for all Cat 1 SAR operations where there is a life-threatening situation in or on water (including lakes, rivers, estuaries or seas).
Major Operations Group has also reviewed Police’s operational policy for Search and Rescue to ensure alignment with the updated SOPs. The Search and Rescue policy now includes a link which directs staff to the ECD’s updated SOPs.
Comment – Police considers this recommendation has now been Implemented.
Related Investigation(s)