The Government denies it intends to give police stations around the country "the chop" as part of a cost-cutting review, but say changes are likely within the police property holdings.
A Cabinet paper to Police Minister Judith Collins, which was released under the Official Information Act (OIA) yesterday, showed discussions about the sale of stations and police houses as part of a Government-ordered line-by-line review of costs.
In the briefing, police presented a list of cost-cutting measures to the Government before the 2009 Budget and identified property as part of "phase two" spending cuts.
Labour law and order spokesman Clayton Cosgrove believed the review signalled small police stations around the country would be in line "for the chop" and said it was a worrying development for the public.
The sale of any police houses in outlying townships would hugely diminish the role of the accompanying stations.
Coupled with a move this year to trim the national police vehicle fleet, police could not afford to lose any stations, he said.
"What are cops in a rural town that loses its station expected to do when they arrest someone? Chain them up in their back yard?"Southern District commander Superintendent Bob Burns said he was "baffled" by the idea of closing any of the district's stations or houses.
"You would have to look at community concerns like accessibility for communities to report incidents, the availability of police in rural and remote areas, and the crime rates in those areas.
"If you've only got one crime a year in an area, it doesn't make good sense to keep a police station open there."
The Southern District did not have any areas like that at the moment and he dismissed the idea of closures.
"There aren't any stations in the Southern Police District that any community can do without," Supt Burns said said.
Police Minister Judith Collins said Mr Cosgrove's claims were "alarmist".
There was no list of police stations, or other property, scheduled for closure.
"This Government opens police stations, not closes them. This Government has already opened five new police stations this year, with a sixth - in Christchurch South - due to be opened on September 11."
Like all government departments, the police were constantly evaluating budgets to ensure the taxpayer was getting value for money, Ms Collins said.
Police finance general manager Bruce Simpson said the review was to ensure the force was making the best use of its investment in property.
"There may be change in our use of buildings as a result."
Ms Collins said the Government was committed to ensuring police were well trained, well resourced and well supported.
"I have made it clear to the police that any reduction in spending should not jeopardise the safety of the public. I have received an assurance from the Police Commissioner [Howard Broad] that it won't."
