Restructuring is still at the working-group stage, but sources say the changes being considered include:
• Reducing Port Chalmers to a sole-charge station.
• Reducing staff at the Green Island police station.
• Moving frontline staff from North and South Dunedin stations to the central Dunedin station to work shifts.
Southern police district commander Superintendent Bob Burns yesterday confirmed restructuring was being considered, but said any changes would not affect the public.
As there was no definitive plan yet, any rumours about what might happen were purely speculative, he said.
He declined to say what changes were being considered, but confirmed no police stations would be closed and dismissed any such rumours as "scaremongering".
As soon as the finalised terms of reference for the review were complete - expected by the end of the week - they would be fully communicated to those affected.
Everyone would have a chance to have their say on any proposals, he said.
Police Association region director Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts, of Dunedin, said the association had been kept informed and was happy police staff and members of the public would have a chance to express their opinions.
The association recognised some efficiencies could be gained from reorganising Dunedin's police service, he said.
"We have issues with crime in the middle of the night, and there might be opportunities to make sure there are more police on during the night, and that would be a good thing, especially if people want bars to be open to 4am."
Residents of the areas understood to be under review said they had "real concerns" about any changes to police services in their suburbs.
It was essential the present police presence was retained in Green Island, and he was sure residents would share his view, Dunedin city councillor and Saddle Hill ward representative Colin Weatherall said.
The two officers who worked there lived in the area, knew the community well and were a central point of contact.
He understood police had to look at how best to use their resources, but it was fundamental to have proactive, not just reactive, policing in a community, he said.
Saddle Hill community board chairman Keith McFadyen said, if anything, he would prefer to see far more community-based resources tasked with battling the crime issues Green Island faced.
Port Chalmers community board chairwoman Jan Tucker said she was aware a review was under way, but was not willing to comment until an official announcement had been made.
Cr Andrew Noone, who represents the Waikouaiti Coast ward, said losing officers in Port Chalmers was a real concern from the community's point of view.
Port Chalmers police officers had worked only weekdays for some time, but that visible presence was important for crime prevention.
Any move that potentially increased response times to callouts at any time of the day was also a concern, he said.
"If police can provide the statistics to support a reduction in policing in the suburbs, I can understand that, but I've yet to see anything."
