Security do-up for Feilding police station
A spate of attacks has prompted a security upgrade for one smalltown police station.
Rumours had been swirling that the Feilding police station may close, a concern bolstered by a Sunday Star-Times investigation last month revealed police are reviewing the future of 105 small stations across the country amid safety concerns.
It found 23 police bases, stations and kiosks across the country had been temporarily closed to the public after an attack on an Auckland police volunteer in April.
At the time, acting deputy commissioner Allan Boreham said it would be up to local commanders to decide whether to upgrade safety to allow bases to reopen fully, with volunteers.
Documents show security at the Feilding station’s front counter is to be improved
The decision was made as part of the national front counter project, an outcome of a review of station security measures following an attack on two Palmerston North police stations.
Faraniko Francis Pei, 31, went on a shooting spree in August last year, firing a 12-gauge shotgun at the Highbury station, and narrowly missing a staff member behind the front counter at the central city station.
He pleaded guilty to charges following the shootings and was later found guilty of using a firearm against the police officer inside the station.
Central District commander Superintendent Sue Schwalger said A civic memorial service to remember Helen Kelly as a "great fighter" will be held in Wellington.
Mayor Justin Lester confirmed the service will be held at the Michael Fowler Centre at 1pm on October 28.
The service will give the community a chance to remember "a great fighter, a great campaigner Police are committed to taking whatever practical steps are necessary to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and the public. police had identified stations needing improvements.
‘‘Police are committed to taking whatever practical steps are necessary to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and the public, to whom we have a duty of care, and which continues to remain a top priority,’’ Schwalger said.
Along with Feilding, the Levin and Palmerston North stations will also receive counter upgrades.
Schwalger said Feilding staffing allocations had not changed in the past 12 months, but there had been a change of personnel. for workers’ rights, Wellingtonian, he said.
"She always fought on behalf of people who needed a voice, was hugely principled, always put other people’s interests ahead of her own and never compromised on her convictions."
The union stalwart died of cancer on Friday, aged 52. a several safety great lung