Following the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) Annual Conference, both Justice Minister Naomi Long and Chief Constable Jon Boutcher have issued statements addressing the critical issues raised concerning the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). While the Minister expressed disappointment over certain comments, both leaders underscored the severe financial pressures facing the service and the profound impact on policing capabilities.

Justice Minister Naomi Long stated her "disappointment by comments made by the Police Federation NI (PFNI)" regarding the police recovery business case. She asserted that claims of the case being "effectively shredded" were "inaccurate and extremely unhelpful," arguing such narrative "only serves to unsettle and demotivate an already pressurised police service." The Minister clarified that the recovery business case has been approved for value for money, with the current challenge lying in securing sufficient funding to rebuild police numbers. She confirmed upcoming meetings to address affordability and next steps.

Addressing the PFNI's assertion that policing was "at the back of the queue" for financial allocations, Minister Long cited recent monitoring rounds where the PSNI received significant proportions of available funds: "In October 24 my department was allocated £39.3m in the monitoring round... the PSNI received £36.7m (79%) of the total available at that time. During the current monitoring round, the Executive has allocated an indicative allocation of £5m for Safer Communities. The PSNI will receive £4.75m (95%) of that allocation."

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who attended the conference, acknowledged the "hard-hitting" message from the Federation Chair regarding "the relentless pressure on police officers and their families caused by the lack of an effective Policing budget, falling officer numbers and assaults on police." He stated: "I share the Federation's concerns and frustration about resourcing pressures. This is a message I hear from officers across the country and it is one I have been delivering at the Policing Board, Stormont and Westminster."

Both the Minister and the Chief Constable converged on the issue of legacy costs. Minister Long concurred with the PFNI that "the cost of legacy cases to the PSNI is unacceptable," noting that "no other modern day police service carries such burden," and confirmed she has raised this with the Secretary of State. Chief Constable Boutcher provided a stark example, stating that current legacy costs exceed £20 million annually and are unfunded, coming directly from the core budget meant for current policing. He asserted that proper, separate funding for legacy could allow the recruitment of an additional 400 officers, directly impacting neighbourhood and response teams, as well as crime investigation.

On the issue of officer safety and assaults, Minister Long reiterated her commitment to introducing a new offense of assaulting a person providing services to the public within the sentencing Bill, offering increased protections for frontline services including the PSNI. Chief Constable Boutcher expressed alarm at "the apparent tolerance and indifference that exists here in Northern Ireland towards assaults of our police," vowing that the PSNI "cannot, and will not, simply stand by and accept it."

In conclusion, Minister Long reaffirmed her strong support for police officers and staff, promising to continue pushing for a "better deal for justice." Chief Constable Boutcher reiterated the "absolute agreement" between the Federation and PSNI leadership on these pressing issues, vowing to "continue to work closely with the Police Federation and others to support our colleagues in every way I can." He emphasized that the financial challenges are "critical" and that the "consequences of not funding the PSNI will be felt by communities across Northern Ireland."