Police commands to merge

The Hills and Ku-ring-Gai police commands could merge under state government reforms that will put more officers on the beat.

It is proposed that 20 local area commands in Sydney be integrated into 10 over the next two years with the management positions in the merged commands converted to operational positions on the streets.

Stage one will include merging City Central and The Rocks commands; Manly and Northern beaches commands; Eastwood and Gladesville commands; and Botany Bay and St George commands.

The Hills and Ku-ring-Gai merge is proposed after stage one has been implemented and assessed.

Police minister Michael Gallacher said the government has previously indicated the authorised strength of the NSW Police Force will continue to increase to reach a peak of 16,665 officers by August 2015.

“The proposed mergers will maintain Authorised Strengths within these new Commands,'' Mr Gallacher said.

“The numbers of support staff will be altered to support the unique nature of these new Commands,” Minister Gallacher said.