Northern Ireland written question – answered at on 7 February 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of police officers that would be required in the Province if there were to be (a) a full-scale return to terrorism by republican and so-called loyalist terrorist organisations, (b) general observance of a ceasefire by republican and so-called loyalist terrorists but widespread criminality and (c) a total cessation of terrorist and criminal activities by all terrorist organisations.
The report of the Independent Commission on Policing, released in September 1999, recommended that the security situation prevailing at that time required the police service to employ 7,500 regular officers.
This was accepted by the Government and the police service. The current established strength of the PSNI is 7,500 regular officers. They continue to be supported by full-time reserve officers. The chief constable recently decided to reduce the number of such officers to 680 by 2007–08. He believes that this level of resource, combined with 7,500 regular officers, will be sufficient for him to deliver an effective policing service to the people of Northern Ireland in the current environment.
A decision on how large the Police Service of Northern Ireland would need to be to cater for an improved or worsened security and policing environment would be based on operational assessment, and subject to consideration by the chief constable, Government and the Policing Board.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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