A range of proposed and actual changes to the way many Auckland City Police operate and where they operate from, will see new support and deployment units established and more staff accommodated in a reconfigured Auckland Central Police Station.
The most recent proposals follow on from changes implemented in October 2012 whereby the Alcohol Harm Reduction staff, who were formerly domiciled at three stations in the district including Downtown, moved to a Council building in the city to co-locate with Auckland Council Licensing and Compliance Team.
District Commander, Superintendent Mike Clement, says the October move has proved its worth having established closer and more effective working relations with Council, Health and businesses.
"This co-location has resulted in better deployment of Police and Council resources to alcohol related issues in the Auckland City District.
"In the coming weeks a District Command Centre will be established on part of Auckland Central Station's top floor and, included in its operations, will be the CCTV monitors that are currently in the Downtown Police Station on Fort St.
"With the recent government announcement of Mobility – whereby the majority of frontline staff will be equipped with devices including i-phones and i-pads in the coming months – it makes sense to reassess what staff consider their base location.
"Mobility devices will be rolled out in the district from late May and, as a result, staff will spend more time in the field and much less time in Police stations.
“We’re in a consultation period with the 30 beat and four support staff from the Downtown Station and have proposed they relocate to Auckland Central to work alongside their patrol group and public counter colleagues, respectively.
“If the proposal is accepted in its entirety, there won’t be any further need for the Downtown Station and Police interests in it will be sold off in a robust property market.
“Further, in keeping with the theme of centralisation and co-location of associated work groups, we’re proposing that the Police Prosecution Service relocate from its current rented accommodation in Albert St to what is currently the Barracks Bar at Central.
“I have endorsed the proposal that spaces in Auckland Central be reconfigured and refurbished to accommodate our colleagues in the prosecution service so that they can be nearer to our recently established 24/7 Case Management Centre.
“I’ve no doubt there will be disruption to many in the short term given that there is reconstruction and movement inherent in all these proposals, but we have to change with the times and make our buildings and office spaces fit for the purposes we want of them.”
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz