North's Police Federation calls for continuance of reserve force

A row over whether the full time police reserve will be disbanded intensified this afternoon after the Police Federation met the Northern Secretary.

The federation is strongly arguing against the disbandment of the 1,500 reservists while the SDLP says that they must go.

The chief constable is due to say on September 9 whether he believes it should go on or be shut down.

After today’s meeting, Terry Spence, the Police Federation Secretary, said it was disappointed and frustrated that key issues remained outstanding.

He said his members deserved an end to their uncertainty and emphasised that although the federation had been obliged to negotiate severance terms, it had not conceded the reserve would go.

The evidence remains irrefutable, he said, that its member were essential to provide a credible policing service.