Warning issued over PSNI reserve

Any move to axe the full-time police reserve in Northern Ireland could threaten next month’s crucial peace process negotiations, the British government was warned today.

Ulster Unionist negotiator Reg Empey sounded the warning after a report by the Inspectorate of Constabulary claimed major staff cuts had weakened service levels provided by police in the North.

Even though the Inspector of Constabulary, Ken Williams, praised the PSNI’s increased community-style police, his assessment found a major reform programme has taken its toll.

Operational strength has been slashed by 2,000 full-time officers as part of the Patten blueprint for overhauling the service.

But Mr Williams, the former chief constable of Norfolk, reached a startling conclusion after being briefed by officers and politicians.

His report said: “An overall reduction in size, amongst other factors, means that the service cannot provide the same levels of service it once did.”

With a question mark hanging over the future of 1,600 full-time reserve officers, former UUP Economy Minister Reg Empey and DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Junior insisted it would be a foolish move to get rid of them.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde will announce next month whether or not he can do without the unit.

If he decides to let them go, they will be phased out from next April.

Mr Williams warned in his report that police chiefs could face a major headache if other moves to compensate any loss were not made.

“There are substantial concerns about the overall viability of the service unless sustainable progress can be achieved in terms of bolstering the part-time reserve.”

Mr Empey said the HMIC report should serve as a wake-up call to Mr Orde.

“It is abundantly clear that our police service is overstretched, underresourced and that its ability to tackle crime and public disorder is being eroded,” the East Belfast Assembly member said.

“It is also clear from this report that any attempts by the chief constable to remove the full-time reserve will be politically motivated and not based on sound, impartial manpower requirements.

“I must warn the chief constable that if his decision is one made out of political expediency and not operational necessity, it could poison the political atmosphere and threaten the planned inter-party talks in September.”

Talks involving the Northern Ireland Assembly parties and the Irish and British governments to revive devolution are due to resume next month, culminating in set-piece negotiations in Leeds Castle in Maidstone in mid-September.

North Antrim DUP Assembly member Mr Paisley Jr insisted the force was becoming powerless amid rising crime.

“There are three times more serious organised crime gangs operating in Northern Ireland than when we had 9,000 officers,” he said.

“This shows that we can’t afford to cut manpower services. Otherwise, we are going to have a skeleton police service that doesn’t satisfy public needs, and we certainly can’t afford to do away with the full-time reserve.”

Mr Williams’ report also claimed the 29 district command units in the police service across Northern Ireland was too many, hampering operational efficiency.