The number of incidents in southern Ministry of Social Development offices needing police involvement have jumped almost 37% in the past year.
Data released by the ministry under the Official Information Act showed police were called to assist ministry staff in Otago and Southland 63 times from July 2015-June 2016, up 36.96% on the financial year before.
Calls for police intervention have grown by more than 150% since the 2011-12 financial year.
The ministry implemented a "zero-tolerance'' approach in responding to security threats following the 2014 deaths of two staff members in Ashburton.
Russell John Tully shot and killed Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland and shot one other in the Ashburton Winz office on September 12014.
Tully was aggrieved at his perceived poor treatment by ministry staff. He was jailed earlier this year.
The numbers released by the ministry show calls for police assistance to the Dunedin Central Community Link, in Castle St, increased 144% in the 2015-16 financial year from the year prior.
Calls to the Invercargill Community Link increased 33% and Oamaru Community Link jumped by 50%.
Requests for similar information from the Ministry of Justice and ACC could not be fulfilled as neither agency held the information.
However, ACC could confirm that as at June 30, 2016, three people were trespassed from offices in Otago and Southland - one from Dunedin and two from Invercargill.
Nationally, 35 people were trespassed from ACC offices around the country.
Ministry of Social Development deputy chief executive organisation solutions Nicholas Pole said the increase in calls was as a result of the ministry's "zero-tolerance approach'' adopted in 2014.
"Incidents that would not have been recorded prior to September 2014 are now recorded,'' he said.
"The higher number of security incidents corresponds to the offices that see a larger volume of clients who present at each office.''
Police could be advised because of concerns over a "face-to-face incident'' involving a client, phone or social media contact or issues which had come to the attention of staff indirectly.
Police would be called if there were concerns for staff or client safety, he said.
"The ministry places a high priority on the safety of its staff and clients,'' Mr Pole said.
"Our security policy is an essential component of the ministry's strategy to reduce risks, not only to staff, but also to our clients.
"Abusive or threatening behaviour towards frontline staff is treated very seriously. If a security incident occurs, staff enter the security incident in the ministry's reporting database. Where appropriate, the incident is referred to the police for investigation.
"The ministry also provides follow-up advice and support for any staff involved in such incidents, including support through the Employee Assistance Programme.''
WorkSafe prosecuted the Ministry of Social Development for breaching health and safety regulations due to the September 2014 shootings.
The ministry pleaded guilty in July to one breach of health and safety regulations.
The ministry will be sentenced in December.
