Plan to cut North police reserve force ‘not a political move’

SENIOR police officers in Northern Ireland accepted assurances from their Chief Constable yesterday that his decision to axe more than half of his full-time reservists was not politically motivated.

Leaders of the Superintendents’ Association met Hugh Orde in Belfast after representatives of the rank and file claimed he had bowed to political pressure to reduce the reservists from just under 1,500 to 680.

Mr Orde categorically denied the accusation.

After yesterday’s 40-minute meeting, association president Chief Superintendent Stephen Grange said they had been assured the decision was purely operational, based on the security review carried out by the Chief Constable.

He said: “We accept those assurances.”

Some of the full-timers will be leaving with redundancy deals worth up to £100,000.

Mr Grange added: “This is a difficult time for all those involved, and our members are committed to guarantee that adequate support and guidance is provided to full-time reserve officers and their families so that those involved are treated with dignity and sensitivity.

“The association is confident that our membership, working in partnership with the community, will continue to lead in the delivery of an effective policing service.”

Federation chiefs had earlier passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Orde’s leadership, amid claims that morale within the force could collapse.