Police Reserve Axe Debated

As tensions continue this week over the devolution of policing and justice to Stormont, another issue around policing remains contentious: the axing of the PSNI reserve officers.

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott confirmed on Friday that he would be phasing out of the Full Time Reserve (FTR) as planned.

The process, which started in 2005 to be completed by 2011, aims to achieve a more effective use of the regular officer establishment: "Significant numbers of officers must be released from non-police duties to enhance our frontline visibility, and in particular neighbourhood policing," said Mr Baggot, (pictured).

According to him, different security organisations have been consulted before taking the decision.

He added: "I recognise that there is an ongoing threat from dissident republican terrorists and would seek to reassure both the public and officers that their safety will always be a priority."

In response to this announcement, DUP Policing Board Member Jimmy Spratt said: "It appears to fly in the face of simple logic to have the Chief Constable recommending NI should have fewer police officers when there is an obvious need for more."

In fact, last week the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reported that the dissident threat is at its highest level since the body came into being and the FTR has a valuable knowledge and experience - specially in the anti-terrorism fight - which the country can't afford to lose, he insisted.

The party spokesman stated the decision had done nothing to increase confidence in the unionist community over the devolution of law and order powers to the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry and Armagh, Danny Kennedy, has said that the Chief Constable's decision to press ahead with plans to phase out the PSNI's full time reserve is "devastating in the current climate, particularly for border communities".

"The people of South Armagh are reliant on the PSNI, some 60% of whom are members of the Reserve. The prospect of losing that invaluable resource is devastating.

"I am deeply concerned that we are heading down a dangerous road," he said.

"While I respect that these are operational decisions, I would call on the Chief Constable to address the concerns of an understandably fearful community, existing in increasingly terrifying times."

After the Baggot announcement and amid continuing tension over the devolution of policing and justice, a meeting between First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Prime Minister Gordon Brown took pace.

A DUP party spokesman said Mr Robinson had "made his feelings clear" about the decision to disband the full-time reserve.

Before the meeting, Mr Robinson hit out Sinn Féin, accusing it of trying to threaten the DUP and force the issue.

Although he warned they would not negotiate under threat, he added: "We are also absolutely determined to complete the devolution of powers to Northern Ireland by having policing and justice functions transferred."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin warned the Government not to allow unionists in NI to block a deal about the devolution and the SDLP accused it of "playing second fiddle" to the DUP and of "undermining the interests of the nationalist community".

(CL/BMcC)