The new coalition government aiming for an additional 600 police officers a year for three years.

OPINION: Raising the minimum wage, tightening immigration, banning foreigners from buying our houses and regional development have been the headline-grabbers since the wrapping came off the Labour-New Zealand First coalition agreement.

Notwithstanding the support agreement with the Greens, and the flagrantly leftie flirtations with legalising dope and axing benefit sanctions for refusing to name a welfare child's father, there's much to admire about the coalition government's agenda.

I'm particularly excited that Labour has been so responsive and embracing of New Zealand First's law and order platform, enshrining it in the coalition agreement. It's arguably one of the most right-wing flourishes of the new government, with the express intention of striving "towards adding 1800 new police officers over three years", while committing "to a serious focus on combating organised crime and drugs".

TETSURO MITOMO/STUFF New Police Minister Stuart Nash, with MP Jo Luxton, has committed to increased police recruitment.

The monumental scale of this projected boost to our blue line has incredulously escaped the attention of the news media, not receiving the recognition it warrants. You may recall that after several years of bloody-minded denial, National finally agreed to increase policing numbers with Budget 2017 providing funding for 880 extra sworn officers over four years.

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But given our population growth, as the Police Association has pointed out, by the time those extra officers join the ranks, we'll barely be any further ahead, on a police per capita ratio.

MAARTEN HOLL/STUFF Police Association President Chris Cahill says police need to be adequately resourced, not just boosted in number.

In contrast to National's annual increase of 220 front-line cops, the new coalition government is shooting for 600 a year, for three years. Given the capacity constraints on the Police College, in reality, it's likely to end up being closer to an extra 500 a year, but a noble and gutsy mission, nonetheless. Furthermore, non-sworn support staff resourcing will be increased, too.

Over the weekend, I took the opportunity to engage with the Police Association and the new Police Minister, Stuart Nash, who I'm picking will be prove to be one of the most impressive new cabinet ministers.

Police Association President Chris Cahill, understandably, welcomes beefing up police ranks, but has a warning: "Increasing the number of police officers is one thing, but if they are not adequately resourced they are not going to be able to do their jobs properly and meet the expectations of the public."

Alongside community policing, Nash envisages substantially greater resources for "smashing gangs and organised crime", targeting all levels of the drug supply chain as well as the wider gang network, including internationally. Further details will be released by the Police Commissioner and Minister early in the new year.

He is particularly motivated by the monstrous scourge of meth, that is destroying communities and compounding our mental health crisis. The all-out offensive against gangs in New South Wales in recent years has netted huge results, particularly through the non-consorting laws.

Nash is eager to embrace what's worked and says that "one of my first tasks will be to work with police on a review of all the laws that the police operate under going after the gangs. I will also be looking at options for those currently in gangs who want a safe way out."

He hasn't ruled out embracing National's plans to authorise warrantless searches on gang pads or restricting access to benefits for gang members. Nor has he put the kybosh on National's campaign policy to direct the nation's 150 most serious young offenders to a junior training academy at Waiouru Military Camp.

The dramatic upswing in serious youth crime is a herculean challenge, exacerbated by increasing the age of youth offenders to 17. The Police Association estimates 100 more police in Youth Services are urgently required, alongside having more police deployed on targeting 8-12 year old offenders, in a bid to transform their lives before it's too late.

Currently, 16 per cent of pre-teen offenders become adult crims. Nash is passionate about delivering intensive intervention from the get go.

You'll probably know that one of my hobby-horses is roadside drug-drive testing. The new Minister confirms that he is keen to make it a reality.

I fully endorse the Police Association's advocacy for the general arming of front-line officers. A firearm at hand – not just in a police car lock box. But it's not something Minister Nash intends pursuing. Could he be for the turning?

* Mike Yardley is a Christchurch based political and travel writer.