The need for increased counter security at police stations is highlighted by an incident where a violent transgender offender jumped over the Oamaru station's counter, blocking in and frightening a female staff member, the Police Association says.
The incident, in January, had sped up the installation of security glass panels at the Oamaru station after it was identified as a safety concern in late 2013, along with stations in Wanaka, Rolleston, Paeroa, Levin, Tauranga and New Plymouth.
Police Association Dunedin delegate Senior Constable Bruce Dow said the incident had highlighted the need for increased security in police stations' front counters.
Oamaru's station previously had wide open counter and only one door to access the watch house. Glass panels were installed in June.
During the incident the offender, who was drunk and known to police, leapt over the counter and trapped the female staff member so she could not access the door to the watch house, Snr Const Dow said.
The dispute was solved without force but the staff member was left shaken by the incident, he said.
It highlighted the need for police to improve station security for the safety of officers and staff members.
Police installed security screens in the new Wanaka Police Station in late 2013 after staff raised concerns about safety and ease of access at the station.
Snr Const Dow first raised the matter of station security at a Police Association conference about the same time.
''Virtually the whole of the conference had stories from their stations,'' he said.
The matter was raised in this month's edition of Police News - a publication produced by the Police Association - after shots were fired at Highbury and Palmerston North police stations last month.
In May, police confirmed a national review of all station's safety and security was taking place, although few details on what prompted the review or when it was expected to be completed were offered.
In Police News, Police Association president Greg O'Connor calls for an independent assessment of police station front counter security.
''The time has come for police to give this matter priority before another incident takes place with potentially more serious consequences,'' he said.
''It has now been shown that another incident will, rather than might, occur.''
Police national manager of wellness and safety Stu Duncan said, in an emailed statement, that the ''police executive are looking at further information and are considering a proposal sometime this month''.
