Mixed reaction as fate of Police Reserve is sealed
REACTIONS by local politicians to PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott's decision to phase out the full-time reservists by March 2011 has been predictable, with unionists slamming the move and nationalists in favour.
With First Minister Peter Robinson insisting the phasing out would stymie the devolution of policing and justice, Richhill-based Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin (DUP) has described Mr Baggott's position as "worrying".
Mr Irwin added, "It's a strange decision to reduce the police force at a time when the Independent Monitoring Commission describes the dissidents' threat as being at an all-time high.
"One would have thought that more police officers, not fewer, would be required at a time like this. The full-time reservists have a comprehensive bank of experience and knowledge that Northern Ireland can scarcely afford to lose, particularly in tackling terrorism."
RESULT
George Savage, MLA for Upper Bann, said that situation was the direct result of the 1999 Patten Report on Policing "which too many people seem to think is set in stone but was prepared by a man whose knowledge of Northern Ireland was, at best, flawed".
He added, "It's scant reward for 440 men and women who have given such dedicated service to Northern Ireland over the years and to whom we owe such a debt of gratitude."
However, nationalist politicians disagree. SDLP's Dolores Kelly insisted that most reservists were quite willing to go "given the generous severance packages they are receiving.
"But it's also common sense. The numbers of police personnel in Northern Ireland are well above the average of other areas," she added.
"For example, there are 7,500 police officers in the province serving a population of 1.7 million. Chief Constable Baggott comes from an area of England (Leicestershire Constabulary) which is similar in size and has 2,300 officers. It makes operational sense."
progress
Sinn Fin MLA John O'Dowd said, "The DUP need to stop looking over their shoulder at TUV. They must realise that agreement has been reached at St. Andrews and they cannot put barriers in the way of progress."
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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