Bluff Community Board Chairman Raymond Fife has acknowledged the Bluff community after news that staffing at the Bluff Police Station will be cut to two rather than to one officer as originally proposed.

“The outcome isn’t ideal but a two-man station as opposed to the proposed one-man station gives the community some security,” he said. “I want to acknowledge the community at large who went out and voiced their concerns,” he added.

The proposed cut from three officers to one had brought 200 people to a public meeting at the Bluff Town Hall recently where a resolution was passed asking the Minister of Police to put the restructuring on hold until an independent review was made into the restructuring of police stations throughout New Zealand. The resolution was passed unanimously at the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Southland District Commander Inspector Lane Todd, National MP for Invercargill Sarah Dowie,  Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Deputy Mayor Darren Ludlow.