Overseas Southern district gets four new police officers

ONLY four new police officers will join the Southern district under this year’s allocation of new resources.

The Government announced in February a $388 million fouryear package which would result in 880 more police officers in the country by mid2021.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush yesterday announced the allocation of the first year’s 220 new officers.

Southern district — the country’s largest geographic policing district — received the fewest, with only four new officers allocated.

Two of those would be deployed to Queenstown Airport for ‘‘specific airport duties and other frontline and community work’’.

Dunedin and Invercargill’s child protection and adult sexual assault teams would be boosted by one new officer each.

It is understood 10 officers are planned for each of the next two financial years and 13 for 202021.

Police Association southern regional director Mike Thomas was philosophical about this year’s allocation.

‘‘Although Southern District has received a small allocation of police officers for the first year, we understand current crime and staffing pressures in the North Island have required a larger allocation of staff initially to northern police districts,’’ he said.

‘‘We are, however, looking forward to further staff increases over the next three years which will see a further 33 officers coming into the district along with an increase in 24hour response stations.’’

It is planned for Balclutha police station to go to 24/7 operations in the 201819 financial year, followed by Wanaka the year after. Alexandra and a yettobedecided Southland rural station will have a 24/7 police presence by the end of the 202021 financial year.

Mr Bush said 178 staff were allocated to the 12 policing districts, 31 to the Royal New Zealand Police College to support increased recruitment efforts, and 11 staff would be deployed to focus on national and international organised crime.

Southern district commander Superintendent Paul Basham said the four officers were allocated into areas of increasing demand in the district.

‘‘These additional officers will be used to target and catch offenders, prevent harm and victimisation and provide a more responsive police service to the community.’’

The first new recruits were expected to attend police college next month and be on the ground in the district in October.

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz