(File photo) Police graduates at the Police College in Porirua. Photo: Supplied / Police
Researchers looking into bias among police have followed a wing of recruits through training.
The study is part of a wider research project that was described as a "watershed moment" by a leading criminal justice advocate when it began more than two years ago.
The project includes data analysis of complaints against police and fieldwork being prepared with police staff, Māori and other communities through several districts.
"A data scientist is completing a data stocktake to identify gaps in police data to understand issues of fairness and equity," police said in a statement.
Research was also being carried out on how deaf and disabled people, or tāngata whaikaha, interact with officers.
The Understanding Policing Delivery (UPD) research was being overseen and managed by an independent panel.
The first findings are expected next February and final ones late next year.
It was always going to be a long-term project and "our timeline remains on track", police said.