Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill says more community support was needed for the changes to go ahead. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
A controversial restructuring of Canterbury police has been cancelled due to the public backlash.
Police received about 1000 submissions on the proposal, which included cutting roles and closing stations in rural and remote communities.
Federated Farmers led the backlash against the proposal, arguing local policing was being cut in favour of 24/7 hubs in Rangiora and Rolleston and a one-size-fits-all model.
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said the proposal could not proceed without the buy-in of affected communities.
"Much of the feedback from staff and the community has been supportive. The reality is that the proposal was not acceptable to many of the communities affected, and in my view their buy-in was a critical element in the proposal's success. We could not proceed without that support," Hill said.
"In reaching this decision, I listened carefully to the concerns and considered feedback from the community and other interested parties, as well as those of police staff. There were those who did support the changes and I acknowledge some may be disappointed.
"I have discussed this with the Commissioner of Police, and he has assured me I have his support for this decision today.
"Some of what we aimed to do can be achieved without the wider restructure and we will now work carefully through the options to decide what is possible. Every district has its own priorities and demands and those can often be met through deployment decisions. Canterbury District's Gang Disruption Unit, Beat Teams and a Retail Crime Team in Christchurch were not contingent on the restructure and will still go ahead. They are priorities for Police in all districts. Road policing will also remain a priority. It is one of the areas of highest demand in the district."
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he supported Hill's decision.
"I want to acknowledge the hard work that was put into the review by District Commander Tony Hill and his leadership team. Our staff are exceptional and I am confident Canterbury police will continue to offer an outstanding service across the district.
"While the review proposals had merit, including the proposed 24-7 response model, I have long believed in the value of visible and engaged police who know their communities and the people in them. That is effective both for prevention and law enforcement, in both cities and rural areas."
Under the proposal, which was released publicly in early August, sole-charge station positions in Arthur's Pass, St Andrews, Pleasant Point and Rakaia would have been cut, as well as two- and three-officer stations in Lincoln, Leeston, Amberley, Oxford and Culverden.
"Public safety teams" in Temuka and Waimate would also be scrapped.
They would instead be bolstered in Rolleston, Rangiora, Ashburton, Timaru and Christchurch with rural liaison officers to be based in Lincoln, Leeston, Oxford, Amberley, Waimate and Temuka.
Police also proposed culling family harm teams, drug and harm prevention officers, and school community officer positions across Canterbury.
A total of 131 positions would be established while 121 positions would be disestablished, although they were not like for like.
Hundreds of people turned up to a fiery meeting in Culverden to express their anger at the proposal and fears fewer local police would leave them more vulnerable.
The Police Association also described the proposal as "robbing Peter to pay Paul".
Hill said the proposal was a "genuine attempt to offer what I believed would be a better service to the district, including a 24-7 response in rural areas".
"Throughout this process it has been important to challenge ourselves to think outside the square, and to innovate how we service the needs of our communities," he said.
"I want to say it has been heartening to see the strong backing our staff working in the rural communities have from the public they serve. Our staff are very dedicated and I can assure you we are committed to serving the people and businesses of Canterbury."
North Canterbury Federated Farmers president Bex Green said she was glad police had bowed to locals and scrapped the proposal.
"I'm really pleased that they've listened to our communities and they've taken on board the feedback that they got and come away with the right decision," Green said.
"I have no doubt that they still need to work on what the future of New Zealand police looks like in our communities and especially our rural communities. And I don't doubt that's a huge undertaking... but I do hope that the next time they consider any proposals... that they actually come out to the communities and ask our opinion and really do it properly next time.
"I think after this they will - or I hope, at least - and that they'll really take the feedback of the communities first before making any sudden changes or sudden proposals."
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