PFNI Funding Call

‘We need more than a sticking plaster fix’ – PFNI

The £12.3 million of funding for the PSNI is a welcome boost but it’s only a ‘sticking plaster’ solution, according to the Police Federation for Northern Ireland.

PFNI Chair, Mark Lindsay, said: “Securing the jobs of 300 officers as well as delivering 100 new recruits eases the burden for a cash-strapped organisation.

“The news will be a welcome relief for officers. That said, it will fail to maintain a standstill position for the PSNI which will see hundreds retiring over the course of the financial year.

“Instead of a ‘sticking plaster’ fix, we need to see a structured funding stream put in place to eliminate uncertainty and doubt. Without the necessary commitment and clarity, it is practically impossible to plan ahead.

“We must see genuine and determined efforts made by the Northern Ireland Executive to adequately resource the service to bring officer numbers up to 7,500 which is what we were told was the required peacetime minimum.”

Ends