PM dismisses police station sell-off

Prime Minister John Key has said the government has no plans to close police stations despite the release of a paper suggesting otherwise.

Mr Key’s claims come following the release of a Cabinet paper to Police Minister Judith Collins, released under the Official Information Act (OIA), which discusses the sale of stations and police houses as part of a government-ordered line by line review of costs.

Police presented a list of cost-cutting measures to the Government before the budget and the briefing paper identifies the property portfolio as a target likely to be considered in "phase two" of the process.

The line-by-line budget review identifies $5.5 million in ongoing savings and $8.7 million in one off savings.

Suggestions include a "rationalisation" of housing and station numbers. The briefing from police identifies 600 properties within the police asset base.

It also identifies potential cost savings through the 3400-strong vehicle fleet and says savings could also be made through IT upgrades. It identifies the Police Infringement Bureau, "where technology investment offers potential efficiencies".

Key said the suggestions were part of a “value for money exercise” being undertaken by police but the government had no intention of closing any police stations.

"We’re not going to do anything that would reduce the safety and security of New Zealanders and we have been substantially increasing the police’s budget so there’ll be no reason to cut anything that would jeapordise that,” he said.

“I’d be quick to point out though that we’ve actually opened four police stations, we’re opening police stations not closing them.”

He said he did not have any idea of the potential size of the cuts or when they could be rolled out.

Mr Key said police were not being squeezed by budget constraints.

“There’s no particular trigger point, if they find something that is beyond their requirement I’m sure they will dispose of it.”

Police finance and planning general manager Bruce Simpson told Radio Live today that proposals for a sell-off were in their early stages and any such action would be discussed with the communities affected.

Labour law and order spokesman Clayton Cosgrove said the New Zealand public should be worried about what the Government was up to.

"The closure of police stations will have potentially disastrous consequences for affected communities," 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 backyard?"

Mr Cosgrove said, coupled with a plan to reduce the police vehicle fleet, the situation was concerning.

- With NZPA

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