Responding to Otago Daily Times questions yesterday, Otago rural relieving area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said the senior sergeant-level ''area prevention manager'' position had been located in Wanaka since 2012-13.
It was proposed the role be based in Queenstown in future, as part of the area headquarters team.
Wanaka's only senior sergeant, Allan Grindell, holds the position and is also Wanaka sub-area commander.
Sgt Grindell declined to discuss the matter yesterday.
Insp Jensen said the proposal to ''further align'' the rural policing area with the national ''Prevention First'' strategy went out to staff and the community for consultation late last week.
''If the proposed changes go ahead, they will be implemented by February 1,'' Insp Jensen said.
New policing structures had been put in place in the Otago rural area in 2012-13.
Insp Jensen said there were ''ongoing opportunities to further develop and enhance'' the structure.
He believed the proposal allowed for ''more effective'' local management of prevention staff based at Alexandra, Queenstown and Wanaka.
The restructuring would also support police ''service delivery'' in areas such as family violence, alcohol-related harm and road policing.
Asked by email about the needs of the area's growing population, Insp Jensen said the Queenstown sub-area in particular had a high growth rate ''with a significant resourcing requirement driven by tourist numbers, the town's international airport and a range of other factors''.
Under the new arrangement, Wanaka would have a ''response sergeant'' to manage the public safety team staff, and a ''prevention sergeant''.
Asked about the possible effect on search and rescue operations, Insp Jensen said they would be minimal, with resources available from across the Otago rural area.
In March 2009, when Snr Sgt Grindell took up the Wanaka job, there were 15 sworn staff and one non-sworn staff member.
Insp Jensen said yesterday staff numbers at Wanaka fluctuated over recent years.
Numbers were determined by ''a whole range of factors'' which took into account regional differences, population growth, crime levels and policing priorities, he said.
''I would like to reassure the Wanaka community that the proposed changes aim to enhance the already high level of service received from local police.''
''Local police will be better placed and supported to deliver on our policing priorities,'' Insp Jensen said.
Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor Cr Lyal Cocks said yesterday he knew a review was being undertaken but had yet to see the detail.
He considered any reduction in police staff in Wanaka was disappointing.
Cr Cocks said the council had worked with police to achieve the ''appropriate number'' of police in the town, particularly considering search and rescue requirements.
''We thought the previous review had got it pretty right.
''So it's a wee bit disappointing if they are going to reduce it again, but I'd like to have a closer look at [the proposal] and understand their reasoning for the reductions.''
The rural community constable position to be disestablished in Wanaka is at present vacant.
