Menu
16/01/2009
PSNI Admits Huge Shortfall In Detectives
It has emerged that trainee officers are being drafted into top-level frontline posts in a bid to plug a serious post-Patten shortage of hardened detectives.
As police hunt a gunman in a failed cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in Co Tyrone yesterday, it is reported the force is so desperate for veterans to fight crime it is re-employing dozens of officers who took golden-handshake redundancies under the wide-ranging policing reforms that saw the demise of the RUC.
Yesterday, NI Policing Board Vice Chairman, Barry Gilligan, revealed that there has been a shortfall in detectives in PSNI and this has been of concern to both the Board and the police.
He said: "A proposal was brought forward to introduce Trainee Intelligence Officers to the Crime Operations Department as a means of addressing the shortfall.
"This is in support of other initiatives such as recruiting detectives from other police services and appointing trainee investigators."
It has emerged that the scale of the shortfall has been blamed on the Patten Report - introduced 10 years ago - which recommended sweeping changes to the RUC.
It led to the replacement of the service with the PSNI and created a redundancy package for senior ranks designed to pave the way for new recruits - 50% of them Catholics.
As a result, hundreds of experienced detectives have left the police, leaving a huge resource gap to plug.
And the crisis is set to deepen with almost 250 experienced officers expected to quit under Patten in the next two years.
However, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, Board member Jimmy Spratt blasted the plan to propel "green" officers up the career ladder to make up for a lack in experienced officers.
And fellow member Ian Paisley Jnr yesterday branded the situation "madness".
The extent of the shortfall emerged last summer when it was revealed the PSNI had a shortfall of 147 detectives.
It was also claimed yesterday that the PSNI currently employs 79 staff from a recruitment agency, mostly ex-officers who stepped down with bumper payouts in the Patten upheavals.
However, the BBC said that even though some can take witness statements, they can't actively investigate crime and are tied up in administration.
Meanwhile, in Omagh, a CIT guard escaped a gunman who was attempting to rob him of his cash box yesterday.
Having been threatened with the gun, the security operative managed to escape by locking himself into the building and the gunman fled.
Detectives are appealing for help in catching the culprit after the High Street incident.
(BMcC)
As police hunt a gunman in a failed cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in Co Tyrone yesterday, it is reported the force is so desperate for veterans to fight crime it is re-employing dozens of officers who took golden-handshake redundancies under the wide-ranging policing reforms that saw the demise of the RUC.
Yesterday, NI Policing Board Vice Chairman, Barry Gilligan, revealed that there has been a shortfall in detectives in PSNI and this has been of concern to both the Board and the police.
He said: "A proposal was brought forward to introduce Trainee Intelligence Officers to the Crime Operations Department as a means of addressing the shortfall.
"This is in support of other initiatives such as recruiting detectives from other police services and appointing trainee investigators."
It has emerged that the scale of the shortfall has been blamed on the Patten Report - introduced 10 years ago - which recommended sweeping changes to the RUC.
It led to the replacement of the service with the PSNI and created a redundancy package for senior ranks designed to pave the way for new recruits - 50% of them Catholics.
As a result, hundreds of experienced detectives have left the police, leaving a huge resource gap to plug.
And the crisis is set to deepen with almost 250 experienced officers expected to quit under Patten in the next two years.
However, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, Board member Jimmy Spratt blasted the plan to propel "green" officers up the career ladder to make up for a lack in experienced officers.
And fellow member Ian Paisley Jnr yesterday branded the situation "madness".
The extent of the shortfall emerged last summer when it was revealed the PSNI had a shortfall of 147 detectives.
It was also claimed yesterday that the PSNI currently employs 79 staff from a recruitment agency, mostly ex-officers who stepped down with bumper payouts in the Patten upheavals.
However, the BBC said that even though some can take witness statements, they can't actively investigate crime and are tied up in administration.
Meanwhile, in Omagh, a CIT guard escaped a gunman who was attempting to rob him of his cash box yesterday.
Having been threatened with the gun, the security operative managed to escape by locking himself into the building and the gunman fled.
Detectives are appealing for help in catching the culprit after the High Street incident.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 March 2024
PSNI Investigates Arson Attack In L'Derry
The PSNI have launched an investigation into an arson attack in L'Derry on Monday, 11 March. At around 11.30pm last night, it was reported to police that two vehicles were on fire in the Grainan Drive area. Police and NIFRS attended the scene. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. Two other vehicles were also damaged as a result of the fire.
PSNI Investigates Arson Attack In L'Derry
The PSNI have launched an investigation into an arson attack in L'Derry on Monday, 11 March. At around 11.30pm last night, it was reported to police that two vehicles were on fire in the Grainan Drive area. Police and NIFRS attended the scene. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. Two other vehicles were also damaged as a result of the fire.
19 April 2024
PSNI Appeal Following Fatal Collision In L'Derry
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a fatal road traffic in L'Derry on Thursday, 18 April. A woman, aged in her 70s, has died in hospital following a two-car collision on the Limavady Road at approximately 4pm. The collision involved a grey Citroen C3 and blue Alfa Romeo.
PSNI Appeal Following Fatal Collision In L'Derry
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a fatal road traffic in L'Derry on Thursday, 18 April. A woman, aged in her 70s, has died in hospital following a two-car collision on the Limavady Road at approximately 4pm. The collision involved a grey Citroen C3 and blue Alfa Romeo.
17 April 2024
PSNI Recognised For Training Related To Domestic Abuse
The PSNI have been recognised for their efforts in training staff to better recognise and respond to incidents of domestic abuse. The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) have published a report on the effectiveness of part one of the PSNI's Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (NI) 2021.
PSNI Recognised For Training Related To Domestic Abuse
The PSNI have been recognised for their efforts in training staff to better recognise and respond to incidents of domestic abuse. The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) have published a report on the effectiveness of part one of the PSNI's Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (NI) 2021.
15 April 2024
PSNI Appeal For Information Following Banbridge Shooting
PSNI Detectives have issued an appeal for information following a shooting incident in Banbridge on Friday, 12 April. Shortly after 8pm, it was reported that a man aged in his 40s had been shot in his abdomen while in the car park on Rathfriland Road. Taken to hospital, his condition has been described as serious.
PSNI Appeal For Information Following Banbridge Shooting
PSNI Detectives have issued an appeal for information following a shooting incident in Banbridge on Friday, 12 April. Shortly after 8pm, it was reported that a man aged in his 40s had been shot in his abdomen while in the car park on Rathfriland Road. Taken to hospital, his condition has been described as serious.
20 March 2024
PSNI Advises Keyless Car Owners To Ensure Their Vehicles Safety
Following the theft of a BMW in Armagh in the early hours of Tuesday, 19 March, the PSNI have issued advice to owners of keyless cars on the steps they can take to ensure their vehicles safety.
PSNI Advises Keyless Car Owners To Ensure Their Vehicles Safety
Following the theft of a BMW in Armagh in the early hours of Tuesday, 19 March, the PSNI have issued advice to owners of keyless cars on the steps they can take to ensure their vehicles safety.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
