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Police cuts plan 'ill-conceived' Police cuts plan 'ill-conceived'
(about 1 hour later)
The Police Federation has criticised plans to cut the number of police officers in Northern Ireland by almost 1,500 by 2011.The Police Federation has criticised plans to cut the number of police officers in Northern Ireland by almost 1,500 by 2011.
The recommendation, by the scrutiny body Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, would reduce police levels to just over 6,000.The recommendation, by the scrutiny body Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, would reduce police levels to just over 6,000.
Security Minister Paul Goggins said any reduction would only happen when the security situation was assessed.Security Minister Paul Goggins said any reduction would only happen when the security situation was assessed.
However, the Police Federation said the plan was "ill-conceived and foolish".However, the Police Federation said the plan was "ill-conceived and foolish".
Federation chairman Terry Spence said the plans potentially reduce the service to the public to a "dangerously unacceptable level".Federation chairman Terry Spence said the plans potentially reduce the service to the public to a "dangerously unacceptable level".
"The current threat to officers from dissident republicans creates an unacceptable security environment - as recent warnings about personal threats and reports of attempts to murder officers from police headquarters have made clear," he said."The current threat to officers from dissident republicans creates an unacceptable security environment - as recent warnings about personal threats and reports of attempts to murder officers from police headquarters have made clear," he said.
In 1999, a commission chaired by Lord Patten recommended widespread changes to the police force, then the Royal Ulster Constabulary.In 1999, a commission chaired by Lord Patten recommended widespread changes to the police force, then the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
The HMIC report would see levels falling to 6,028 from 13,000 at the height of the Troubles.The HMIC report would see levels falling to 6,028 from 13,000 at the height of the Troubles.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said any cuts would only be made if Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde agreed that the improving security situation warranted it.The Police Service of Northern Ireland said any cuts would only be made if Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde agreed that the improving security situation warranted it.
However, Mr Spence said: "We are having difficulty in meeting the legitimate and reasonable expectations of the public at the moment.However, Mr Spence said: "We are having difficulty in meeting the legitimate and reasonable expectations of the public at the moment.
The government remains committed to ensuring that the PSNI is fully resourced to provide an efficient and effective police service Paul GogginsSecurity ministerThe government remains committed to ensuring that the PSNI is fully resourced to provide an efficient and effective police service Paul GogginsSecurity minister
"How we are to deliver policing in 2011 with 1,500 fewer regular officers on top of the 680 full-time reserve officers who are already scheduled to leave is extremely difficult to envisage?""How we are to deliver policing in 2011 with 1,500 fewer regular officers on top of the 680 full-time reserve officers who are already scheduled to leave is extremely difficult to envisage?"
Policing Board member Ian Paisley jnr, of the DUP, said: "The government must be out of its mind to think that Northern Ireland can be policed by 6,028 police officers.
"We have had to drop from over 12,000 police officers in the last six years down to 7,500 police officers and for the government to suggest that by 2011 we could take another cut of over 1,000 officers is just unimaginably stupid."
In a statement, the security minister said the report had outlined the policing numbers beyond 2010/11 required to deliver an "effective policing service enabling the PSNI to tackle crime and provide a first class service in protecting the public".In a statement, the security minister said the report had outlined the policing numbers beyond 2010/11 required to deliver an "effective policing service enabling the PSNI to tackle crime and provide a first class service in protecting the public".
"The review was conducted on the basis that the government remained committed to the PSNI's complement of 7,500 regular officers until 2010/11, as recommended by Patten," Mr Goggins said."The review was conducted on the basis that the government remained committed to the PSNI's complement of 7,500 regular officers until 2010/11, as recommended by Patten," Mr Goggins said.
Republican debate
"The review recommends that, after 2010/11, the number of regular police officers should reduce, over time, to 6,028. It also recommends that PSNI should have available for deployment 400 PCSOs, 932 part-time officers and some 2,691 other civilian staff."The review recommends that, after 2010/11, the number of regular police officers should reduce, over time, to 6,028. It also recommends that PSNI should have available for deployment 400 PCSOs, 932 part-time officers and some 2,691 other civilian staff.
"The government remains committed to ensuring that the PSNI is fully resourced to provide an efficient and effective police service to the people of Northern Ireland.""The government remains committed to ensuring that the PSNI is fully resourced to provide an efficient and effective police service to the people of Northern Ireland."
The report comes as the Sinn Fein leadership holds debates across Northern Ireland to sell to grass-roots republicans the idea of backing policing.The report comes as the Sinn Fein leadership holds debates across Northern Ireland to sell to grass-roots republicans the idea of backing policing.
The party is to hold a special conference on the issue in Dublin on 28 January. More than 2,000 republicans will vote.The party is to hold a special conference on the issue in Dublin on 28 January. More than 2,000 republicans will vote.
Some republicans view accepting policing as a step too far but prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern see it as crucial for restoring devolution.Some republicans view accepting policing as a step too far but prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern see it as crucial for restoring devolution.