THE NORTH’S First Minister Peter Robinson and the Police Federation has criticised PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde after he indicated the intention to press ahead with phasing out the police full-time reserve over the next two years.
Sir Hugh, who is to retire at the end of the summer, has pledged that there will be no diminution in the police frontline service when the full-time reserve is abolished in March 2011. He said the reserve is now down to 381 officers from 500. He met senior officers yesterday to plan how the reserve will be phased out.
Sir Hugh went on BBC Radio Ulster to say that under the Patten police reform proposals he was not allowed to maintain the reserve.
“What we have to do is to make sure that there is not one significant change at the front end of policing. I need to find officers to fill the gaps so that these colleagues can retire within the time limits that have been set to us,” he said.
The Police Federation, the police representative body, warned against the phasing out of the reserve, arguing that such a move would be premature in the face of the high dissident republican threat.
“We see no reason, absolutely none, as to why these officers should be phased out,” said federation chairman Terry Spence.
Sir Hugh, however, said abolishing the reserve would not create any additional risks to the public or the PSNI. “I am absolutely committed to making sure that my officers at the frontline are under no extra threat . . . because of any decision I make,” he said.
“It’s also very important the public don’t suddenly feel we’re walking away . . . there are 7,500 officers out there protecting communities every day.”
Within minutes of the interview concluding Mr Robinson issued a statement querying whether Sir Hugh had any right to push ahead with the phasing out when he is about to stand down.
“I have previously spoken with the chief constable and outlined my opposition to such plans, particularly in the context of a dissident campaign.
“I told him frankly that he was not in the best position to be making this decision as he is a retiring chief constable,” said Mr Robinson.
Full-time reserve officers, 49 of whom were killed during the Troubles, generally carry out the same duties as regular police officers.
