Closure of Waikanae community police base

Police have confirmed that the Waikanae community police base, located in Mahara Place, will be permanently closed, due to the lease of the building expiring.  
 
The base had no constabulary staff and was staffed by volunteers.  
 
The base was closed as a temporary measure in March this year, to enable a comprehensive audit of safety features to be carried out, as part of Police’s nationwide front counter safety project.
 
“The expiry of the lease prompted the decision to make the closure of the base permanent, and to look for another suitable location to enable the continuation of the type of service that the base provided prior to its closure,” says Inspector Paul Basham, Kapiti Mana Area Commander. 
 
“While there are no plans to open another community police base in Waikanae, Police are currently in discussions with the Kapiti District Council regarding a number of possibilities - for example, establishing a drop-in facility at a council property such as the local library.”
 
“I want to make it really clear to the Waikanae community that the closure of the base is not a cost-saving measure and we are not looking to reduce the police presence in Waikanae in any way.” 
 
“Police are absolutely committed to providing the same high level of service to the Waikanae community as we always have.”
 
“But rather than sitting behind desks in stations, our focus is on having our staff out in the community helping and engaging with people - in keeping with our model of being a highly-mobile and modern police service.”
 
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers that staffed the Waikanae community police base,” says Mr Basham.
 
“We are looking to find other opportunities for those volunteers, as they provide valuable support to our constabulary staff.”
 
There is no change to how members of the Waikanae community should contact Police.  In an emergency, or when a crime is in process, please call 111 immediately.  In a non-emergency situation, please call Kapiti Police Station on 04 296 6800.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre.