Canterbury Police’s proposal to reorganise its frontline staffing has triggered an unprecedented backlash across the region, with rural communities staging protests, councils lobbying Wellington and sector groups warning the changes could put lives at risk.

The Canterbury District Review, which was released for consultation on August 8, would cut or reconfigure 14 rural constable roles and a range of community-based positions across Hurunui, Selwyn, Waimakariri and Aoraki. 

Sole-charge stations such as Arthurs Pass, St Andrews, Pleasant Point and Rakaia would close to the public, while teams in Waimate and Temuka would shrink to two rural liaison officers (RLOs). Resources would be redeployed to 24/7 hubs in Rolleston and Rangiora, with bolstered public safety teams in Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said the plan was about boosting core services and putting more staff on the frontline, not closing stations. But many rural residents see it as hollowing out community policing. More than 1000 submissions – 800 from the public, including petitions – poured in before the August 18 deadline. 

The community response began with more than 500 Culverden residents gathering to voice their apprehension over the plan and it snowballed from there.

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black told those gathered in Culverden that the district’s staffing would drop from nine to four under the proposal. “The idea that response times will remain ‘appropriate’ feels unrealistic when some communities are 60 to 90 minutes from the hub,” she said. 

On the council’s website, she also highlights that the restructure is likely “to place significant pressure on [volunteer emergency services’] ability to support our district in times of need”.

In South Canterbury, more than 120 people marched from Temuka’s town square to the police station and about 250 people packed into Waimate’s Event Centre. 

Both Waimate and Timaru district councils lodged a joint submission urging Police to reconsider, warning: “Changes will severely impact community safety, increase emergency response times, and erode public trust. Local officers provide essential services, possess critical local knowledge, and have built vital relationships.”

Timaru councillor and former police officer Peter Burt told local media that removing local sergeants and constables would take “the mana out of community policing”. He warned that RLOs would not be able to attend high-risk jobs without backup: “That will need to come from Timaru. A delayed response and two potentially inexperienced officers from a main station could lead to catastrophic consequences.”

Farmers have also joined the outcry. Federated Farmers vice-president and Makikihi farmer Colin Hurst called the proposal “short-sighted and dangerous”.

“I’m flabbergasted by what Canterbury Police wants to do to their rural police… it’ll gut our ability to respond to rural crime and protect our people… It seems to me that they’re taking away from rural Canterbury to shore up the urban centres. 
 

“When you take frontline police out of rural communities, crime goes up. It’s that simple.”

Meanwhile, Hanmer Springs health practice manager Paul Walmsley wrote in NZ Doctor that the review “presents serious and immediate risks” to volunteer first responders. “Reducing rural police isn’t just a policing cut; it’s removing a lifeline for patients and the clinicians who save them.”

Police Association president Chris Cahill says the volume of feedback shows how engaged communities are. “The ‘feel safe’ factor of a local officer should not be underestimated.”

Police has not said when a final decision on the proposal is likely to be made.

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