The North Shore’s policing efforts received a major boost today with the reopening of the Waitematā East District Custody Unit, designed to support frontline operations and reduce transport times for officers handling detainees.

Located at the North Shore Policing Centre, the state-of-the-art facility officially reopened this morning, with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Minister of Police Mark Mitchell, and Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan in attendance.

Commissioner Chambers emphasised the growing demand for police resources across the North Shore and Rodney, highlighting the importance of minimising time spent transporting people in custody.

“Waitematā is a vast district geographically, and it’s important my staff aren’t unnecessarily taken off the road for lengthy periods of time,” he said.

“The new District Custody Unit will mean reduced travel times for staff working as far north as Wellsford, down to Devonport.”

The newly upgraded facility will work alongside the existing custody unit in Henderson.

Police manage more than 120,000 people in custody each year nationwide, and Commissioner Chambers stressed the role of advanced technology in improving safety and efficiency.

High-quality CCTV and intercom systems will help custody staff monitor detainees, while an advanced audio-visual link suite will enable remote court appearances, reducing transport costs and logistical challenges.

Superintendent Hassan welcomed the reopening, saying the facility is a crucial part of adapting to the region’s increasing population.

“We are continuing to find ways to adapt to the growing demand and population across communities in Waitematā,” she said.

The unit will be staffed by sworn police officers alongside additional Authorised Officers recruited specifically for custody management.

The North Shore Custody Unit was previously decommissioned in 2013 but has been utilised on occasion to support police operations, including during the pandemic.

Its reopening marks a significant step in ensuring faster processing times for arrests and allowing frontline officers to return to their duties more quickly.

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