An early reference to any presence of a police force in Invercargill is a tender advertisement from the Provincial Government for the erection of a gaol and lock up (Otago Witness, 9 May 1857, p.1). This was attached to the first Magistrate’s Court of the first Provincial Government buildings. The number of serving police officers was very small, but larger numbers were soon being called for in the newspaper editorials after the discovery of gold.

The Crown Grant Map of 1860 shows that sections 10 and 15 in Block II were set aside as a Police Reserve on the south side of Esk Street The first Police barracks in Invercargill were built here in 1862.The construction was tendered to William Lockhart at £290. However work did not begin until the site had been cleared of tree stumps. This is the building on the right of the photo (Poole, 2002).

The constabulary grew until it consisted of 20 officers, including seven mounted units. Additions to building were completed in mid-1863, consisting of a thirteen rooms, including store-room, Commissioner and Storekeeper’s offices, mess-rooms and rooms for Sergeants. This is the tall building in the middle of the photo.

These buildings were demolished in 1901 and a new Police Station erected on the same site (Southland Times, 18 March 1901, p.2).