Dunedin Police Station Open Day This Weekend

This Saturday (5 December) the public will have the opportunity to explore the workings of a police station when Dunedin Central police station opens its doors to the general public for the first time in 15 years.

The open day will include a gold-coin entry guided station tour of the cells, watch house, general duties muster room, and the police gymnasium and museum.

There will also be a police car and fire truck available for adults and children alike to look inside and an abseiling demonstration from NZ Red Cross. Police partner agencies including Land SAR, NZ Fire Service, St John Ambulance, NZ Red Cross and Victim Support will exhibit static displays, as will the AOS.

For a gold coin donation, dog-lovers will be able to have their photo taken with a police dog puppy in training, says organiser Constable Helen Fincham-Putter.

"This is a great opportunity for children and adults to come and experience a working police station, and have a fun time as well," she said.

For the hungry there will be a lunch-time barbeque. People keen to join the police will also be able to talk to the local recruiting officer.

The open day, which runs from 10 until 1pm, is a fund raising venture for activities run by Dunedin Blue Light Ventures, a community policing project that works with youth in the community with the goals of reducing youth crime, enhancing community safety, building young people's self-esteem and building community partnerships.

Dunedin Blue Light runs a multitude of activities that include Take a Kid Fishing, PCT/Fear Factor Competition, touch tournaments, camps, an ice disco, school day outs, all night parties, Halloween mega dance, youth driver initiative, and Bryan & Bobby.

"Although supported by police and community volunteers in terms of time and logistics, the actual cost of programmes is funded by sponsorship and donations - the open day will help raise funds for these varied programmes, said Constable Fincham-Putter.