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18/06/2009
Death Knell For Police Reserve
The NI Policing Board has been told that PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, is to press ahead with phasing out the use of support officers employed in the force's Full Time Reserve.
Despite opposition from Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and the officers' own representative body, the Police Federation - both of whom criticised the plan - Sir Hugh has said he has no choice as the Patten police reform proposals don't allow it to be maintained.
However, Sir Hugh, who is to retire at the end of the summer, has pledged that there will be no diminution in the police frontline service when the Reserve is abolished in March 2011.
He said the force is now down to 381 officers and after he met senior officers this week to discuss the plan, it has now been confirmed he will proceed.
Members of the Policing Board's Corporate Policy, Planning and Performance Committee were told of his decision on the remaining complement of such officers today.
Sir Hugh said: "I have told the Board today I have no intention of losing any members of the full-time reserve until March next year and in that time I will make absolutely sure that non-operational officers are put on the frontline so you see no change in frontline response policing."
Board Chairman, Barry Gilligan said: "The Board notes the Chief Constable's report and agrees that this is an operational decision.
"Sir Hugh has assured the Board that this will not have a negative effect on service delivery to the community, which is a priority for the Board," he confirmed.
A Sinn Féin member of the Committee, Daithí McKay has said that the ending of the Full Time Reserve is another necessary step on the road to building an accountable civic policing service.
See: Decision Reserved On Police Reserve
(BMcc/NS)
Despite opposition from Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and the officers' own representative body, the Police Federation - both of whom criticised the plan - Sir Hugh has said he has no choice as the Patten police reform proposals don't allow it to be maintained.
However, Sir Hugh, who is to retire at the end of the summer, has pledged that there will be no diminution in the police frontline service when the Reserve is abolished in March 2011.
He said the force is now down to 381 officers and after he met senior officers this week to discuss the plan, it has now been confirmed he will proceed.
Members of the Policing Board's Corporate Policy, Planning and Performance Committee were told of his decision on the remaining complement of such officers today.
Sir Hugh said: "I have told the Board today I have no intention of losing any members of the full-time reserve until March next year and in that time I will make absolutely sure that non-operational officers are put on the frontline so you see no change in frontline response policing."
Board Chairman, Barry Gilligan said: "The Board notes the Chief Constable's report and agrees that this is an operational decision.
"Sir Hugh has assured the Board that this will not have a negative effect on service delivery to the community, which is a priority for the Board," he confirmed.
A Sinn Féin member of the Committee, Daithí McKay has said that the ending of the Full Time Reserve is another necessary step on the road to building an accountable civic policing service.
See: Decision Reserved On Police Reserve
(BMcc/NS)
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23 July 2009
Police Reserve Cuts Face Court Challenge
The PSNI's plan to cut 500 full-time reserve police officers is to be challenged in the courts. It has emerged today that the officers' representative body, the Police Federation has requested a judicial review of Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde's decision to phase out the Full-Time Reserve by March 2011.
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The PSNI's plan to cut 500 full-time reserve police officers is to be challenged in the courts. It has emerged today that the officers' representative body, the Police Federation has requested a judicial review of Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde's decision to phase out the Full-Time Reserve by March 2011.
03 October 2002
Police full-time reserve will stay until 2005
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Police full-time reserve will stay until 2005
The Policing Board ruled today that they would accede to the Chief Constable's request and maintain the PSNI full-time reserve. The decision means that the 2,175 members of the full-time reserve will have their contracts extended until April 2005.
23 January 2004
Police Reserve remains 'under review', says Orde
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Police Reserve remains 'under review', says Orde
The future of the PSNI's Full-Time Reserve remains subject to a security review, according to Chief Constable Hugh Orde. The proposed axing of the Full-Time reserve, some 1,600 officers, by 2006 is part of the Patton Recommendations on police reform in Northern Ireland.
23 August 2002
Unrest leaves PSNI unable to perform 'day-to-day' policing
Following on from the Acting Chief Constable's candid assessment of policing difficulties at a meeting with the Policing Board yesterday, manpower levels within the PSNI have been brought into focus.
Unrest leaves PSNI unable to perform 'day-to-day' policing
Following on from the Acting Chief Constable's candid assessment of policing difficulties at a meeting with the Policing Board yesterday, manpower levels within the PSNI have been brought into focus.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
