In what is understood to be part of $100 million savings statewide, a re-engineering taskforce is looking at merging key local area commands, cutting middle-management, and sending more experienced police to the front-line.

Wagga Police Superintendent Bob Noble said that while nothing has been decided, the plan would see police officer numbers enhanced, rather than any negative way.

“General duties frontline police that you see out in vehicles, walking down the street, detectives making inquiries, even specialist domestic violence and youth police; they’re unlikely to be affected in any substantive way – very unlikely,” Superintendent Noble said.

Boosting experience at smaller regional police stations like Temora has been cautiously welcomed by Temora mayor Rick Firman.

“On the surface we don’t have any issues but there has to be further discussion,” Councillor Firman said.

The merger was floated after Police Commissioner Mick Fuller took over from former commissioner Andrew Scipione in March.

However, it’s become a political hot potato in the Riverina, with two by-elections set down for October 14.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Matthew Stadtmiller, who is standing in the seat of Cootamundra, has accused the government of setting out to forcibly amalgamate the two police centres.

“The National Party must guarantee 24/7 police stations in the Cootamundra electorate,” Mr Stadtmiller said.

“If they can’t, then how’s this forced amalgamation of Police Local Area Commands going to benefit the community?”

However, Nationals Party candidate Stephanie Cooke has dismissed such views as simply scaremongering.

“I am more than happy to guarantee no downgrade of any police stations’ operational status across the electorate as part of this process,” she said.

Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys said the current 20-year-model has to be upgraded, with a focus on local needs.

“It's important for me to make it clear there are no plans to close any police station within the district,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said. “Similarly, there are no plans to change the current service delivery or divert police away from our smaller communities.”