A 3% wage rise and inflation rate would mean police would have to save $477 million in the next four years, police bosses told Parliament yesterday.
The figure was given by Deputy Commissioner Viv Rickard under questioning from Labour MP Phil Goff at the law and order select committee.
On Tuesday it was reported police bosses have floated a proposal to save $360 million over the next three years - including the possibility of closing police stations and a reduction in sworn and non-sworn staff.
The biggest factor facing the police budget will be the negotiations with the Police Association in the coming weeks, as the collective agreement expires in July.
More than 70% of police spending goes on staff - in the last financial year, it accounted for $1047 million out of a total $1483 million.
Mr Rickard told the committee competency service increments - wage increases when staff achieve certification requirements - would cost $170 million in the next four years.
Though wage negotiations were yet to start, he said inflationary pressures and an annual wage rise of 3% a year would create another $300 million hole over the next four years.
Mr Goff said the total of $470 million over four years amounted to about $120 million a year, but Mr Rickard stressed that wage negotiations had not begun.
After the committee hearing, Police Commissioner Peter Marshall said no constabulary staff or civilian employees would lose their jobs, but some who left the police force might not be replaced. About 350 staff leave the police each year at present.
While closing some police stations was a possibility, it would not save much money and there were no plans to do so at this stage.
Mr Marshall said small rural police stations would not close unless police could still cover the area.
