More officers needed as well as £245m

The Chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Terry Spence, has welcomed the announcement of the extra £245m to combat terrorism.
 
"I congratulate the Chief Constable,the Policing and Justice Minister and the Secretary of State for their excellent effort. But as well as the funding which the Federation has been pressing for we need additional officers on the ground to meet the severe terrorist threat head on. Cancelling rest days and working long hours of overtime is not sustainable long term.
 
"The next step should be to retain the 400 officers regular and full-time reserve who are scheduled to leave next month under Patten. On the one hand we get necessary funding and on the other, we weaken our capability by letting experienced officers leave."  
 
For further information please contact Alan Burnside 07501 501 897

Release Date - 18 Feb 2011