A review of police services in the West Coast region is going ahead, after an earlier plan triggered a dispute over proposed staffing changes.
Rural police officer. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Tasman District commander Superintendent Karyn Malthus said the proposal now needed to be signed off from the District Governance Group before staff would be invited to give feedback.
The governance group included Ms Malthus, West Coast area commander Inspector John Canning and the district's two other area commanders, Inspector Simon Feltham and Inspector Mat Arnold-Kelly.
"The group has recommended a proposed structure that we believe to be the best model for managing our staff and serving the coast's diverse communities," Ms Malthus said.
The proposal would be forwarded to Deputy Commissioner Grant Nicholls for consideration this week. His approval was required before it could be presented to police staff and the wider community for consultation.
Earlier this year, three West Coast police staff alleged they had been defamed by the police and Ms Malthus, over allegations made about them and their work performance in local media.
The claims were denied and a $1.5 million defamation case was later withdrawn.
Ms Malthus said the governance group had also identified a need for further consultation with the Ross community before any proposal was progressed.
"Our consultation document will have some in-depth analysis of the Ross policing demand, but I think it is important that further discussions with this community are held first and that will now occur as a separate project led by the area commander.
"My expectation is that this is likely to commence in February 2016," Ms Malthus said.
She said the intention was to get the service delivery model right and she was prepared to take the time required to achieve that. Given the proximity to the Christmas holiday period, consultation would not now take place until the New Year.
"Police has a national agreement with the Police Association (union) that we will not progress any consultation on change processes over a holiday period," Ms Malthus said.
