A NSW Police spokeswoman declined to confirm numbers but it is understood up to a quarter of the 70 plus general duty officers are currently off duty at the Monaro Local Area Command, covering the Queanbeyan district.

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The spokeswoman confirmed that some of the absences related to suspensions but declined to elaborate.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on individual officer's employment status or internal police investigations," she said.

Officers were also off on stress or sick leave, and the overall number away included those retiring, on maternity leave or suspended. The spokeswoman said the numbers were not indicative of a problem at the station.

"The number of officers currently away from the Monaro Police District is not a reflection of any cultural issue but rather is indicative that police numbers are subject to fluctuations across all districts and commands in NSW," she said.

About a quarter of general duty officers are unable to work, with officers suspended for alleged misbehaviour or criminal matters, a source with access to NSW Police information has said.

The staff shortages come at one of the busiest periods for the station as crime statistics reveal assaults and drug offences skyrocket during the ski season in the state's alpine region, which falls under the Monaro command's jurisdiction.

Detective Superintendent Paul Condan told Fairfax Media they send 10 extra police officers to the alpine region during the winter.