Belfast DPP expresses 'deep concern' at Reserve cuts

The Belfast District Policing Partnership has expressed its "deep concern" at the recent decision of the Chief Constable to axe 807 full-time reserve officers.

At a special meeting of the Belfast DPP on Thursday, a resolution was passed which criticised Hugh Orde's decision "given the ongoing paramilitary threat and the increase in ordinary crime".

The resolution read: “The Belfast District Policing Partnership expresses its deep concern at the decision of the Chief Constable, Hugh Orde - which was taken without consultation with District Policing Partnerships - to reduce at the current time the numbers of the Full Time Reserve and the effect which his decision will have on policing in Belfast.

"Given the ongoing paramilitary threat and the increase in ordinary crime and the fear of crime being experienced by the public in general and older people in particular, the Belfast District Policing Partnership finds the Chief Constable's decision totally unacceptable."

The DPP said it was calling on Mr Orde to review his decision since its effect would be to "erode the confidence of the public, the District Policing Partnership and indeed police officers themselves in his ability to provide effective policing to safeguard and respond to the needs of the people of Belfast".

Chairman of the Partnership, Councillor Ruth Patterson said: “The Chief Constable and the Northern Ireland Policing Board would be well advised to take full note of the terms of the Partnership’s resolution and should not in any way underestimate the concern and anger which the decision on the Full Time Reserve has caused within the Partnership and the wider population of the City,” she said.

Councillor Patterson said the Partnership would await a reply from the Chief Constable and the Policing Board before considering the matter further.

However, the Partnership is to write to Assistant Chief Constable McCausland requesting details of how the proposed cutback in the Full Time Reserve will affect the four District Command Units in the City, particularly with regard to the provision of an adequate number of officers for frontline and community policing.

Under Mr Orde's plans, 610 officers currently used to deliver a range of services alongside their regular colleagues would be reduced by to 141; and 197 of the 627 officers currently on static security will be axed.

The departing officers will be released in a phased manner across an 18-month period from the termination of their contracts.

(MB/GB)