New England Online > Culture & Society > Public Safety > Police
Royal New England Constabulary
| Royal New England Constabulary | |
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| Formed: | 2012 |
| Headquarters: | Moore St Building Armidale |
| Officers: | 4,450 |
| Divisions: | 5 |
| Stations: | 80 |
| Inspector-General: | Jack Christiansen |
Policing in New England is carried out by the Royal New England Constabulary (also known as the RNEC). The role of the RNEC is to discourage and investigate crimes, with particular emphases on crime against persons or property and the maintenance of public order. The police are also expected to apprehend suspected perpetrators and to detain them so they can be brought before the judiciary.
The constabulary in its current form was established when New England became independent in 2012. The force is overseen by the Inspector-General of the Royal New England Constabulary. The current Inspector-General is Jack Christiansen, who was appointed in May 2052. Executive responsibility for the police rests with the Minister of Home Affairs, currently filled by Peter Edgeworth.
Responsibilities
Police are often used as an emergency service and may provide a public safety function at large gatherings. In emergencies, the police work with Accident & Emergency, Fire and Civil Defence Service personnel to co-ordinate search and rescue situations.
Divisions
Criminal Investigation Branch -
Highways Branch -
Organised Crime Branch -
Special Branch -
Ranks
Members of the Criminal Investigation Branch and Special Branch prefix their ranks with 'Detective'.
| Ranks of the Royal New England Constabulary | ||||||
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| Superintendent | Chief Superintendent |
Commander | Chief Commander |
Assistant Commissioner |
Commissioner | Inspector-General |
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| Police Cadet |
Police Constable |
Senior Constable |
Serjeant | Senior Serjeant |
Inspector | Chief Inspector |
Inspector-General
The Inspector-General of the Royal New England Constabulary is the head of the police force. The Inspector-General is generally regarded as the most senior operational police officer in New England. All of New England's Inspectors-General have been career police officers, having risen through all the ranks from the lowest to the highest over a period of many years.
The following is a list of New England's Inspectors-General since 2012:
| Inspectors-General | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | In Office | Duration |
| 1 | Kerry Johns | 1 October 2012 - 30 January 2020 | |
| 2 | Malcolm Elliott | 1 February 2020 - 14 June 2026 | |
| 3 | Helen Jackson | 15 June 2026 - 1 August 2033 | |
| 4 | Ken White | 2 August 2033 - 7 March 2039 | |
| 5 | Joshua O'Drisscoll | 8 March 2039 - 23 October 2041 | |
| 6 | Sophie Mertens | 24 October 2041 - 31 January 2042 | |
| 7 | Benjamin Evans | 1 February 2042 - 8 May 2052 | |
| 8 | Jack Christiansen | 9 May 2052 - Present | Incumbent |
Public Safety in New England
Accident & Emergency · Civil Defence · Fire · Maritime Rescue · Police
