Service urged to move at pace on CEDs to counter assaults on officers
The Chair of the Police Federation Liam Kelly says 850 assaults on officers in the past twelve months is ‘the tip of the iceberg’ and the real figure could be much higher.
Mr Kelly was commenting on a PSNI statement to the BBC ‘Nolan Show’ which covered the number of assaults for the twelve months up to 6th September 2026.
Mr Kelly said: “It is heartening and welcome to see the Service moving to increase the number of specialist teams trained to carry Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs).
“Given the extent of assaults, I would urge the Service to move at pace to complete this overdue and necessary work.
“Our men and women show great courage and restraint when confronted by assailants. These attackers are out to do harm and inflict injury on officers who work to protect society. They do not deserve to be kicked, punched, spat at and bitten by thugs.
“The figure of 850 is provisional and conservative – the tip of the iceberg - with the real figure likely to be higher. For a variety of different reasons, not all assaults are reported or recorded.
“In serious street disorder, a brick smashing into a helmeted officer, but which may subsequently cause concussion, can simply be recorded as ‘struck by object’ and so not reflect the seriousness of the attack. We also know that for more minor assaults, officers are so badly stretched that they neither have the time nor motivation to log or report incidents.
“CEDs not only offer additional protection for officers but they serve as a deterrent and are most likely to make would-be attackers think twice about lashing out and inflicting pain and injury.
“We’ve had officers hospitalised for injuries including broken bones, bites and lacerations. Physical injuries heal but there’s often lasting psychological damage caused by being at the receiving end of a drug or drink-fuelled assailant.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it again: we need our Courts to stand up for officers and to impose custodial sentences for individuals guilty of assaulting officers. This worrying trend has to be countered and a slap on the wrists or a suspended sentence falls far short of what’s urgently required.”
