On Thursday, Southern police district commander Bob Burns announced proposed changes to four suburban police stations: Port Chalmers, Green Island, Dunedin South and Dunedin North.
Under the proposal, at least 30 staff would be relocated to Dunedin Central, with proactive policing teams created to tackle rising crime rates.
Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran said she was concerned the proposals would reduce the physical presence of police in her electorate, leading to an increase in crime.
Ms Curran said with Green Island going from a two-person to a sole charge station and further positions to be relocated from South Dunedin, police were leaving a skeleton staff in an area of high need.
"It is part of a Government policy to reduce costs without appearing to reduce front-line staff."
Local police were "part of the fabric" and their presence helped the perception that the community was safe, she said.
Green Island Business Association president John Moyle said the proposal was short-sighted, as the area was growing and "in five years they will probably need to put more staff back here".
The supermarket owner said the current police presence added to the "feel-good" factor of the community, and its proactive approach on issues such as youth offending would suffer.
"I think this is a poor idea in respect to the area."
Port Chalmers School board of trustees chairwoman Ruth Ballantyne said it was essential the community retained its two-person station rather than be reduced to a sole charge station.
"We are not going to lie down and let this happen. We need good community policing."
The board was likely to address its concerns in a letter to Police Minister Judith Collins, she said.
Ms Collins confirmed she had already received some correspondence on the proposal.
"Under the law, the distribution of staff within police districts is an operational responsibility of the Commissioner and his district commanders," she said.
"I cannot direct how police districts are structured.
"However, the commissioner is ultimately accountable to me for discharging the functions of police. I do expect that any changes in police organisation are made to improve police performance and service to the public," Ms Collins said.
Supt Burns said the proposal was not about reducing police services to some area, but about better using resources to tackle crime.
Police would meet affected communities to discuss the proposal, which would be finalised by early next year.
