New Zealand Police

The New Zealand Police are using graffiti to recruit potential police officers. They’ve recently used these stencils to help promote becoming a Police officer.

On 399 Montreal Street in Christchurch a two figures tell the story of Constable Spence Kingi who helped people escape the rubble of the February 22, 2011 earthquake.

In Cuba St Mall, Wellington, a woman stands protectively over a child, with a dark shadow looming over them, representing Kylie Schaare’s case work that led to the conviction of a man who had been abusing his own children and many others.

Another one captured on a wall in Auckland:

Street artist, Otis Frizzell, has captured a moment from 4 true NZ Police stories and stencilled each one on a wall near the site where the events unfolded. “You too can do something extraordinary. Become a cop. newcops.co.nz“.
The « Become a Cop » campaign was developed at M&C Saatchi, Auckland, by executive creative director Dave King, illustrator Otis Frizzell, artist Woody.

These unorthodox display ads, which appear in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, have also attracted a good bit of attention overseas. I say overseas; actually, mostly in America.
NZ Police street-art recruitment ads go global: US bloggers have been debating the message, and Bansky-ness, of Otis Frizzell’s murals.

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Some people are saying that these ads are a mimick of street artist Banksy and his trademark stencil graffiti work. But whatever? Jealousy often makes people talk about things…
The only question is, if Banksy had traveled to New Zealand and made similar political statements on the same walls, would it not be considered illegal? All is open to discussion!