Police officers have spent about half a million more hours patrolling the country's streets over the last financial year.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Police Commissioner Mike Bush appeared before the Law and Order Select Committee at Parliament today.
He told the committee the police reduced the number of prosecutions during the 2013/14 financial year and issued pre-charge warnings instead.
He said the police had a renewed focus on getting officers away from the desks and out on the streets.
"Pleasing for us, but more pleasing for the community: people love seeing their police out and about in their communities. It makes them feel safe - so that's what we're about."
Mr. Bush said a pre-charge warning would still be recorded in crime statistics.