A gradual reduction in front-line officers in some districts, including Otago, is a shame, but has to be accepted as a reality, the Police Association says.
High retention of police staff through the recession had led to some police districts exceeding targeted staff numbers, but numbers were falling back into line, Police Minister Judith Collins said yesterday.
Southern district commander Superintendent Bob Burns said last night the district was over-staffed, but it would be taken care of by natural attrition.
There were no plans for staff cuts in the foreseeable future.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor told the Otago Daily Times last night districts were staffed according to resource allocation targets and the reality was numbers were over the targets in some districts.
The association had been assured there had been no reduction in the targets.
"It is those on the front line who will feel this most.
"Everyone runs a lean ship these days and those extra staff have been very, very useful ...
"It is a shame they are going, but that is the reality."
The association was pleased there would be no redundancies, he said.
Labour's law and order spokesman Clayton Cosgrove said in Parliament yesterday eight of the country's 12 police districts would have fewer staff next year than in 2009.
Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said the southern police district would have 22 fewer police by the end of next year.
The Government had a cynical approach to protecting the public, Ms Curran said, adding Counties-Manukau and Christchurch were the only regions forecast to have more police by the end of next year.
Ms Collins said retention of police staff was at a record high and was affecting the target figures.
The Government had pledged to add 300 police in Counties-Manukau by the end of this year and 300 for the rest of the country by the end of next year, she said.