Editorial: Police base earned

The new police station was blessed in a dawn service. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua's new police station looks so great I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to go in to take a look.

That's probably not the most desirable sentiment since in most cases you only need to go to a police station if something is wrong.

But there's no denying Rotorua has been spoilt when it comes to its new police headquarters.

You could look at the flash $18million facility, officially opened yesterday, and think it could have been money better spent elsewhere.

But absolutely not.

For decades our boys and girls in blue have had to work in what could only be described as a complete eyesore.

The facilities were so shocking, they have in the past been likened to Third World conditions.

That has been the case not only for the cell block (which was replaced with a new $14million custody centre in 2008) but also the offices for police staff.

The old building was a rabbit warren that was stifling in the summer and freezing in the winter.

Our police have worked hard, especially during the past few years, to achieve the best results in history.

They deserve these plush new offices.

As mentioned in our Saturday editorial about the inner-city makeover, a spruce-up cannot only improve your exterior, but it can also be a morale booster for staff.

I for one am proud of the look of the new police station and look forward to the rest of the city's makeover to complement it.