The Riverland’s major Police Station will soon not be open at all hours.
Following a review of regional operations, Berri’s 24/7 Police Station will soon cut back to standard business hours of 9am to 5pm weekdays & 9am to 3.30 on weekends.
The local station is one of 14 across the state to see a change of opening hours, something SA Police say will free up regional police officers to return to frontline duties.
State Operations Service, Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said “SAPOL’s priority is to provide a highly visible police presence on our streets and to place police officers where they are needed most.
Police stations are often staffed by taking officers from other operational or frontline positions, including patrols,” he said.
The local site will have Emergency Help Units installed which will dial 000 to assist the public in emergency situations when the station is closed.
Shortly after the announcement from SA Police, local member Tim Whetstone made comment, saying the “The regions should not have to pay for Labor’s inability to recruit and retain police,”
