Menu
03/09/2009
Police Cuts To Be Discussed
Northern Ireland Policing Board members will meet later today to discuss proposed cut backs in the PSNI's budget.
It will be the Board's first meeting since the disclosure of an internal police memo highlighting inefficiencies.
The leaked report suggested officers spent more than 60% of their time on administration duties.
Acting Chief Constable Judith Gillespie is also expected to face concerns over an apparent dissident republican 'show of strength' in south Armagh last month.
Masked men, armed with automatic weapons, set up an illegal checkpoint in the village of Meigh, warning the public not to cooperate with the police, MI5 or Sinn Féin.
PSNI officers were commended for pulling back from the incident.
Last night it was also revealed the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) had written to the Board detailing a £17m reduction in the annual policing budget.
The move is part of overall government plans to slash public spending by £5bn.
Board members have argued these cuts will lead to fewer officers on the ground, and hinder front line services.
According to reports, members were angered by the NIO's tone, which hinted that a 'business review team' could be tasked with making savings should the Board fail to do so.
An NIO spokesman said the PSNI was not being singled out, nor was the letter giving an ultimatum to the Board.
UUP Policing Board member Basil McCrea said: "It is hard to imagine how these cuts will not adversely affect policing in Northern Ireland. It is certainly not what the PSNI need at this time."
See: North's Top Cop Defends Roadstop Withdrawal
(PR/BMcc)
It will be the Board's first meeting since the disclosure of an internal police memo highlighting inefficiencies.
The leaked report suggested officers spent more than 60% of their time on administration duties.
Acting Chief Constable Judith Gillespie is also expected to face concerns over an apparent dissident republican 'show of strength' in south Armagh last month.
Masked men, armed with automatic weapons, set up an illegal checkpoint in the village of Meigh, warning the public not to cooperate with the police, MI5 or Sinn Féin.
PSNI officers were commended for pulling back from the incident.
Last night it was also revealed the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) had written to the Board detailing a £17m reduction in the annual policing budget.
The move is part of overall government plans to slash public spending by £5bn.
Board members have argued these cuts will lead to fewer officers on the ground, and hinder front line services.
According to reports, members were angered by the NIO's tone, which hinted that a 'business review team' could be tasked with making savings should the Board fail to do so.
An NIO spokesman said the PSNI was not being singled out, nor was the letter giving an ultimatum to the Board.
UUP Policing Board member Basil McCrea said: "It is hard to imagine how these cuts will not adversely affect policing in Northern Ireland. It is certainly not what the PSNI need at this time."
See: North's Top Cop Defends Roadstop Withdrawal
(PR/BMcc)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 June 2022
Two PSNI Officers Arrested In Corruption Investigation
Two PSNI officers have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office. According to reports, the officers were arrested in the greater Belfast area on Thursday 23 June by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Two PSNI Officers Arrested In Corruption Investigation
Two PSNI officers have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office. According to reports, the officers were arrested in the greater Belfast area on Thursday 23 June by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
02 July 2010
PSNI's Bid For Cost-Cutting Civilians Fails
A proposal to use armed civilian guards has been vetoed by the NI Policing Board - but as the PSNI faces massive financial cuts of more than £1m a week - such a move could have saved the PSNI a much-needed £5m a year.
PSNI's Bid For Cost-Cutting Civilians Fails
A proposal to use armed civilian guards has been vetoed by the NI Policing Board - but as the PSNI faces massive financial cuts of more than £1m a week - such a move could have saved the PSNI a much-needed £5m a year.
04 April 2008
Top Cop Squares Up To Maskey Over West Belfast
In a TV clash worthy of US presidential candidate hopefuls, last night saw an unexpected war of words breaking out between a Sinn Fein member of the NI Policing Board - and former Lord Mayor of Belfast - and the Chief Constable.
Top Cop Squares Up To Maskey Over West Belfast
In a TV clash worthy of US presidential candidate hopefuls, last night saw an unexpected war of words breaking out between a Sinn Fein member of the NI Policing Board - and former Lord Mayor of Belfast - and the Chief Constable.
20 November 2003
DPPs tour PSNI Training College
The Police Service College opened its doors to members of District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) today to showcase the vital police work carried out by a number of police departments.
DPPs tour PSNI Training College
The Police Service College opened its doors to members of District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) today to showcase the vital police work carried out by a number of police departments.
01 June 2023
PSNI Helicopter Could Be Grounded As Part Of Cuts
Chief Constable Simon Bryne has revealed the PSNI may have to ground one of its helicopters. The move comes as part of measures to reduce the gap between the force's allocated budget and current spending. In a report submitted to the policing board Bryne confirmed that the Department of Justice had reduced the PSNI's budget for 2023/24 by 1.
PSNI Helicopter Could Be Grounded As Part Of Cuts
Chief Constable Simon Bryne has revealed the PSNI may have to ground one of its helicopters. The move comes as part of measures to reduce the gap between the force's allocated budget and current spending. In a report submitted to the policing board Bryne confirmed that the Department of Justice had reduced the PSNI's budget for 2023/24 by 1.
-
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.
