Time for government to commit to a long-term plan to sort 'bad' police buildings - Police Association

The government needs to stump up so police staff aren't working in leaky, unsafe conditions, the Police Association says.

The association says black mould and leaky ceilings in stations throughout the country are making it difficult for officers to do their jobs.

It says many buildings are a health and safety hazard after many years of neglect.

These include stations in Greymouth, Nelson and Blenheim.

Last October, officers had to work from home after a mould problem temporarily closed Greymouth police station to the public.

A senior police officer agrees many police buildings and houses are in need of being replaced or renovated, however, "a perfect storm of demands" has made this challenging and left staff "pitching in to make the best of it".

Police Association president Chris Cahill said the situation was "bad", however, the worst examples were where black mould was occurring, being dealt with but then returning and serious leaks that meant water was coming out of power points.

As well, cell blocks in some areas were no longer fit for purpose and were unsafe.

Over many years the challenge had been getting governments to provide enough money for new buildings, renovations and maintenance, Cahill said.

"It should have been happening and it should continue to happen over the next 20 and 30 years."

He said it was time to draw a line in the sand and set out a long-term infrastructure strategy for police buildings.

Cahill agreed it was bad timing with the coalition government seeking 6.5-7 percent cuts in public sector spending.

"But this is timing that has built up over decades, not timing that has just appeared in the last week or so. But it's going to be a challenge."

He believed the government would be "wary" but he wanted a commitment to a plan that could be also taken up by future administrations.

"So that it's not a three-year cycle; it's a long infrastructure cycle which is what you need across the whole of New Zealand infrastructure."

Cahill used Hamilton police station as an example. The city needed a new facility, however, the project had been deferred multiple times due to other demands on the capital budget.

"You're just kicking the can down the road."

If a new police station was to be built in any part of the country it would be important to consider future proofing, he said.

"But the maintenance is a big part too. You've got to maintain these things. If you defer that maintenance all you're doing is deferring the cost down the road."

'A perfect storm of demands' - police boss

Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson agreed many of the police's buildings, houses and associated infrastructure were in need of refurbishment or replacement.

"We have a priority workplan and are looking to advance that within the funding we have to ensure buildings essential to service delivery, are prioritised," he said.

"The challenge is that increasing prices, inflation and associated impacts on our budget, have created a perfect storm of demands in this area. We know that this has meant an even greater challenge for our staff who are living or working in them every day."

Johnson said he was "grateful and impressed" that staff were making the best of the situation, and working through the challenges.

"I say to our staff members who are working incredibly hard, every day, some in less-than-ideal conditions - thank you. The process is a complex one but we are working as best we can to ensure our staff are living and working in fit-for-purpose locations."

Police had briefed their new Minister Mark Mitchell about the "significant financial and infrastructure challenges". A budget investment strategy has been proposed.

Police have 248 residential houses, 324 stations plus 77 specialist sites, which range from metros to community policing centres, dog bases, training centres and multi-agency centres.

The non-residential portfolio is a mixture of owned buildings and includes 116 leased premises/carparks.

As well as our day-to-day compliance and reactive maintenance, police have recently invested in several major property projects, including new builds as well as major upgrades, in both urban and provincial locations, Johnson said.

"The property team is applying a priority lens over issues on a daily basis and the whole property portfolio to balance the need as much as possible."

Improvements would continue to be made "in a prioritised fashion", he said.