Police board to announce proposals on staff crisis

The North’s police board is today expected to announce drastic measures to deal with a staffing crisis in the PSNI.

The measures are believed to include a derogation from the Good Friday Agreement so that the 2,000-strong full-time reserve can be retained for a further three years.

The Patten Report on policing reform in the North recommended that the reserve be phased out over time, but chief constable Hugh Orde has sought its retention to help in the battle against rising violence and crime.

Other proposals are expected to include the recruiting of civilians to administrative positions to give desk-bound officers more time to patrol the streets.