PFNI: ‘Nobody in Government gives a damn about policing’
The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland Liam Kelly says Stormont has ‘shredded’ the PSNI Recovery Plan because it doesn’t have the money to re-build the Service to 7,000 officers.
Addressing the 53rd PFNI Annual Conference which this year is taking place in Enniskillen, Mr Kelly accused Ministers of abandoning a solemn duty and responsibility to protect people.
Mr Kelly said the Recovery Plan put forward by the Chief Constable was merely the beginning to re-build, and not an end in itself.
Mr Kelly told delegates: “I take no pleasure in telling you today that the Recovery Plan has been effectively shredded.
“It will not be happening unless there’s a last-minute re-think by the Executive.
The Department of Finance has recently informed the Chief Constable that it cannot find the money to support the Plan.
“To say there is disappointment would be a gross under-statement. It would be more accurate to say this Federation is appalled by this decision. It is a slap in the face to our officers.
“It’s also the abandonment by an elected administration whose solemn duty and responsibility it is to safeguard the entire population and give us the tools to combat crime and terrorism, stamp out a multi-million-pound drugs trade, deal with people traffickers, investigate cyber and make our roads safer.
“The Recovery Plan was such a vital component in steadying the ship. But let’s remember, it was just the beginning of a strategy to get us on to the first few rungs of the ladder. It was not an end in itself.
“According to research conducted by Leapwise, we actually need up to 8,500 officers to reflect our rising population. Right now, we’re at 6,224 officers which is 2,276 shy of that, and nobody in Government seems to care or give a damn.”
Mr Kelly said policing was at the back of the queue when it came to financial allocations with Stormont seemingly prepared to ignore the toll that too few officers and outdated equipment had on the Service.
Mr Kelly added: “The Service has been elbowed out of the mix when it comes to receiving a realistic budget. And let’s not forget, if the Service doesn’t get what it needs, it’s our men and women who shoulder the full weight of doing more with less.”
He criticised an inadequate PSNI budget, made worse by the increase in National Insurance which, when combined with an opening deficit of £14 million, will leave a shortfall of some £21 million.
Mr Kelly added: “This is yet further evidence of the scandalous disregard shown by both this devolved administration and the main ‘paymaster’ in London.”
Mr Kelly revealed how the Service lost 427 officers last year – including 199 who left due to ill health, 142 retired and 65 left the service voluntarily for alternative employment.
“From this podium today, I renew my appeal to our Executive to change course and recognise the desperate need for urgent positive intervention before there is any further shocking damage done to our police service.”
He pointed to planned increases in officer numbers and investment in England and Wales while in Northern Ireland, for example, Neighbourhood Policing was in reverse with the loss of 400 dedicated officers.
“We’re expected to be everywhere, do everything, avert, divert and problem solve with an operational deployable total of around 4,500 officers.
“Minister, it cannot be done. We are at breaking point. We need a lifeline.”
Mr Kelly announced a major multi-media awareness campaign to highlight the rising number of assaults on officers which will be launched next month.
In the last year, there were 2,810 recorded assaults on police officers. 881 of these involved injury – a 9.9% decrease from 2023/2024. This is the first yearly reduction we have seen since 2018/2019, which we welcome.
However, over the last three years, there was a staggering total of 9,415 assaults. 2,826 of these involved injury.
Mr Kelly called for meaningful deterrents and a new approach to be taken by our Courts.
“Mindless thugs think it’s ok to have a go. To take a swing at someone in uniform. To break a nose….a hand….an arm. Headbutt. Punch. Kick. Spit at. Ram a police vehicle.
“We must see strong minimum sentences and longer terms of imprisonment for more serious attacks on our men and women.
“The suspended sentence, measly fines and strong words of condemnation aren’t enough to deal with this problem. Stiffer penalties produce results.”
Mr Kelly asked the Justice Minister to look at what happens in Malta.
“Between 2017 and 2024, following the introduction of heavier fines and longer custodial sentences, violent offending against police officers in Malta decreased by 67 per cent.”
Mr Kelly said: “Our Maltese colleagues expect the assault and attack figures on their officers to be at an all-time low this year.“
Addressing the Justice Minister, Mr Kelly said: “It is deterrent sentencing and fines like these that we require in Northern Ireland. In fact, it is long overdue. A clear, strong, no-nonsense message has to go out, that the days of a verbal rebuke, a suspended sentence or a derisory fine are over.”
Mr Kelly concluded by stating: “This Federation will never give up striving for what is best for policing and we will never allow ourselves to be left feeling we’re not a priority. We are the glue that holds our society together and the sooner that fact is properly recognised by our politicians the better.”