Full-Time Reserve - The Facts
At its inception in 1972, the Police Federation opposed the creation of the Full-Time Reserve.
The PFNI opposed the creation of the Reserve for the following reasons:-
- It believed that we needed additional Regular Police Officers;
- It wanted those Police Officers to be such for the purposes of pay and allowances;
- It did not want Police Officers to be employed on contracts.
However, as thousands came forward to join, the Federation accepted its responsibility created by Government to represent the Full-Time Reserve (FTR).
Government did not amend the 1971 Police Association Regulations to allow the FTR either the right to stand or vote in elections.
The Federation's initial principled opposition to the creation of the Full-Time Reserve has been quoted recently as demonstrating continued ill will and lack of commitment by the Federation to the Reserve. This propaganda has been mischievous and ignores the truth. The factual position is that the Federation has sought to advance the welfare, pay and pensions of the Reserve from its creation.
The Federation has sought the following legal advice in respect of its FTR members on the following issues exclusive to them:-
- REPRESENTATION AT POLICE NEGOTIATING BOARD (PNB)
- PENSIONS
- PART-TIME PENSIONS
- STATE EARNINGS RELATED PENSION SCHEME (SERPS)
- CONTRACT CHANGES
- NON RENEWAL OF CONTRACT
- HOUSING ALLOWANCE
- EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL VALUE OF WORK
- SICK PAY
- HEIGHT DISCRIMINATION
- PATTEN PROPOSALS
