The Tauranga Police Station will trial new front counter enhancements which are designed to improve the safety of staff, volunteers and the public.

It's one of four stations around New Zealand to initially trial the new safety enhancements starting in October, with police planning to rollout the changes nationwide afterwards.

The Tauranga Station will be one of four police premises around the country to trial new front counter safety enhancements, starting in October. Photo: Police

The four premises - Tauranga, Hamilton, Christchurch South and Winton – have all been chosen to trial the changes due to their diversity in size, location and community profile.

Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says staff at the Tauranga Station are looking forward to seeing the new enhancements introduced.

'Construction is currently planned to begin in October. While work is underway there may be some minor disruptions but public access to the station will continue.

'It is anticipated that the work at Tauranga Station will be completed before the end of this year.”

Tauranga staff will then be asked to provide feedback about the trial which will inform the final front counter safety framework to be rolled out across other parts of New Zealand, adds Clifford.

There are three main components to the new front counter enhancements: ‘safety by design', ‘safety through technology' and ‘safety through management'.

The most significant change is the new design of the physical front counter, which creates more distance between visitors and police staff to reduce risk, plus subtle design elements aimed at slowing down a threatening person, .

The new design will also work alongside technology, such as monitors screening live CCTV footage of the entrance and waiting area to visitors.

Along with the physical and technological changes, police will improved the operating model for staff working at the counter on top of giving them risk awareness training.

The changes are the result of consultation with design and security specialists, Government agencies, police staff representatives, the Police Executive and Police Association.

'The safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and visitors to Police premises is a priority we take seriously,” says District Operations acting assistant commissioner Sam Hoyle.

'The risks staff face are real and we want to be sure we're doing all we can to reduce them. Our new front counter framework has been designed with that in mind and I look forward to the feedback from staff at the trial sites over the coming months.”

In the upcoming weeks the Hamilton Station will become the first premises to trial the full changes.

The Tauranga Police Station. File Photo.