Decision Reserved On Police Reserve

Proposed cuts in levels of police officers are on the agenda today as the PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, insisted that abolishing the full-time police reserve will not put the public or his officers at risk.

He is to meet senior officers later to discuss the phasing out of the Reserve, which he said was now down to about 380 officers.

However, it has also emerged that the riot officers tasked to deal with disturbances that led to the brutal killing of Kevin McDade in Coleraine last month had to travel 80 miles from south Down after the trouble overwhelmed local PSNI officers.

But Sir Hugh also said there would be no impact on front-line policing if the Reserve - many of whom are in such front-line or on security duties - is phased out.

"I am absolutely committed to making sure that my officers at the front-line are under no extra threat, which is sufficient and significant enough, because of any decision I make," he said.

"This why I'm spending all day today with my senior officers. Furthermore, I delayed this decision because of the concerns."

However, the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll and the deaths of four officers in a car crash, made 2009 "a difficult year", he said, in his last annual report before leaving the PSNI.

The 12-page report is being sent to all households across Northern Ireland.

Sir Hugh is leaving the PSNI after seven years in charge to become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

(BMcC/JM)