Frontline police are being bolstered in Mosgiel in a changed approach described as ''more street than station''.
Mosgiel's existing CIB team will be moved to Dunedin Central station while the number of frontline constables will be increased by one to seven, as part of changes to Otago coastal police which were announced to officers earlier this week.
The changes, which will be completed by June 29, would not decrease the safety of Mosgiel or the wider area, Southern district commander Superintendent Andrew Coster said.
''Police are confident that the safety of the Mosgiel community will not be adversely affected as a result of this realignment, particularly given the increase in resource dedicated to response work resulting in seven constables permanently based at the station, rather than the current six,'' he said.
''Our ultimate aim is to ensure we continue to deliver improved and effective policing services to all communities in Southern. Coupled with our improvements with our mobility devices, allowing our staff to be more street than station.''
The change would see 10 staff permanently based at Mosgiel, with the current sergeant and community constable roles being retained.
Mosgiel's existing station would also be retained, although police were ''keeping an open mind'', Supt Coster said.
''The existing station is an old house that's been adapted for purpose,'' he said.
''It's not an ideal fit ... if there's a better fit for Mosgiel to have as a base [we are open to that].''
He understood some people were concerned police were moving away from face-to-face contact at police stations, but the new model allowed staff to spend more time in the community.
''Ideally where police would like to get is where we are out in our community as much as possible,'' he said.
''Face-to-face with people where they are and addressing issues where they are.''
Police use of mobile technology and changes to paperwork procedure had also freed up time for more frontline policing, he said.
The restructuring would not affect policing in Middlemarch or Green Island.
Mosgiel police
What stays?
• Six constables dedicated to response work.
• A sergeant.
• A community constable.
• A station support officer.
• An additional constable dedicated to response work.
• The existing station.
What goes?
• All CIB staff, including supervisor, detective, inquiry constable and constable prison liaison.
