New police recruits are under fire from a senior colleague who thinks social media has made them ill-equipped to deal with real-life situations.

Tasman District Commander Mike Johnson says they're fine dealing with people online, but when they're in a face to face situation, it's a different story.

Police Association president Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking he thinks Johnson is trying to make the point that social media gives people a false idea of what real life is.

"The reality on the street is that things are bad and that things are dangerous, and I think that's the point he was trying to make on Remembrance Day. It's a pretty tough life for cops out there and these young ones joining have some real challenges."

LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS CAHILL SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING