Police Minister Judith Collins today welcomed 38 new police officers in the first recruit wing of 2016 to successfully achieve constabulary status.

Ms Collins joined family and friends to celebrate the attestation parade of Wing 294 at the Royal New Zealand Police College at Porirua.

She said the parade marked the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career for the new officers.

The Sentencing Amendment (Vehicle Confiscation) Act 2009 which allows vehicles to be seized and destroyed has seen Illegal street racing crashes, injuries and deaths more than halve, says Police Minister Judith Collins.

“The table below shows the number of deaths, injuries and crashes where ‘racing’ was recorded as a factor contributing to the crash, for each year from 2001 to 2015.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins announced today that a further $100,000 would be given to PARS to assist New Zealand offenders returning from Australia.

“PARS Incorporated (formerly known as the Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society has provided practical support to more than 100 returning offenders so far.

“Another $100,000 will enable PARS to support more returning offenders to reintegrate and help them to live crime-free.

A growing number of offenders are taking part in a programme which aims to curb their repeat drink driving behaviour, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

Corrections is running a pilot programme to fund alcohol interlock devices for eligible offenders on community sentences. The devices are connected to the start-up mechanism of a car and immobilise it. It is not possible to start the car until the driver has successfully passed a breath alcohol test.

“This makes our roads safer for both the community and for the driver.”

Police Minister Judith Collins says the New Police Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme (FVIDS) has been used 14 times since it was launched in December 2015.

“The Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme allows Police to disclose a partner or potential partner’s history of violence. A request for the disclosure may be made to the Police by the partner of the potentially violent person, or a concerned third party,” says Ms Collins.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins presented the Minister’s Excellence Award to two newly graduated Corrections Officers today.

Ms Collins established the Minister’s Excellence Award in 2009 during her previous term as Minister of Corrections to recognise newly graduated Corrections Officers who have shown qualities of leadership, professionalism and all-round excellence.

The Minister attended the Corrections Officer Development Pathway graduation at Corrections’ National Office today, where 24 new officers graduated.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has announced the government will provide additional funding of $17.6 million to the Department of Corrections.

“The funding will address cost pressures from the greater than expected prison population growth and enhancements to electronic monitoring,” Ms Collins says.

“Despite significant progress in reducing crime and improving public safety, the number of prisoners has been increasing at a rate consistently above forecasts.

A new disclosure scheme will make it easier for Police to disclose a person’s violent criminal past to a concerned partner or friend.

Justice Minister Amy Adams and Police Minister Judith Collins welcomed the new Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme as the latest in a series of improvements and new services available to family violence victims.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the scheme will help reduce the incidents of family violence in the home and potentially save lives.