Have police station – will travel

THE NATIONAL Property Office is more than half way through a programme which will see 10 brand new ‘baby’ police stations sited in rural locations around the country.

The stations are for use at one and two-person sites and have been introduced not only to ensure that current centres are fit to serve the public, but also to preserve the health and safety of officers and their families.

Constable Richard (Dick) Thrupp, his wife Tangi and grandchild Kanuehi Dennis outside the new police station at Taneatua.

“Although small, the stations are very functional,” says Jonathan Leach, National Property Office Project Director. “The design of the stations came about as a result of extensive consultation with operational officers.”

Each 45 square metre prefabricated station contains a public waiting area and accessible toilet; an office; general storage room; a multi-purpose meeting room, with an adjacent kitchenette; a processing area and a short-term prisoner holding room.

The health and safety needs of the public, officers and detainees have been considered and are addressed throughout the building.

“Traditionally police houses in some rural areas have served a dual function – as the officer’s home and the police station. This causes many difficulties, both for police officers and their families, who have had to share their homes and bathrooms with members of the public and detainees, and for members of the public who may feel uncomfortable using the private facilities belonging to the police house.”

The first phase of the plan saw new stations delivered to Tāneatua, Te Kaha, Tokomaru Bay, Norsewood and Te Araroa.

Another ‘baby’ station on its way – this one to Houhora.

“The feedback from officers serving in the new stations has been extremely positive,” says Jonathan. Following completion of the first five stations, questionnaires were sent to the operational staff. “Everyone appreciated having their workplace moved away from their home and officers suggested further minor improvements – a number of suggestions were built into each of the next batch of new stations.”

The new stations have generally been situated either on or near to, the property of the existing police house. Full planning permission is a prerequisite for every development.

Stage two of the plan is now underway, with stations either delivered, or on their way to, Manutuke, Houhora, Pio Pio, Franz Josef and National Park. Due to bad weather at the latter two sites additional features such as extra insulation and double glazing have been built into the design.

The stations are designed and built in Hastings then moved on the back of trucks to their final destinations. “The logistics behind this process are quite incredible,” says Jonathan.

“Moving the building to Franz Josef has bought a whole new set of headaches – as it is impossible to transport a fully erected police station on the ferry and across some of the small bridges on route. The solution is to flat pack the station to its new destination and erect it on site.”