Plan to rebuild police numbers shredded by Stormont, PFNI conference hears

A plan to rebuild police numbers has been “shredded” by Stormont, the chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has said.

Delivering his address at the PFNI annual conference in Co Fermanagh, Liam Kelly accused ministers of “abandoning a solemn duty and responsibility” to protect people.

Last year, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher drew up a recovery plan to increase the force’s headcount to 7,000 from about 6,300 officers, requiring £200 million of additional funding over five years.

Mr Kelly said the plan is “merely the beginning to rebuild, and not an end in itself”.

He 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 rethink by the Executive.”

Mr Kelly told the conference that the Department of Finance has recently informed the Chief Constable that it cannot find the money to support the plan.

However, the department has said officials reviewed the business case and are content with it, “subject to affordability”.

Mr Kelly said: “To say there is disappointment would be a gross understatement.

“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 multimillion-pound drugs trade, deal with people traffickers, investigate cyber crime 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 is at the back of the queue when it comes to financial allocations, with Stormont “seemingly prepared to ignore the toll that too few officers and outdated equipment has on the force”.

He 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.”

The PFNI chairman said the situation has been made worse by the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions.

“This is yet further evidence of the scandalous disregard shown by both this devolved administration and the main ‘paymaster’ in London,” he said.

Mr Kelly said the PSNI lost 427 officers last year – including 199 who left due to ill health, 142 retired and 65 left the service voluntarily for alternative employment.

He said: “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.”

Mr Kelly said a multimedia awareness campaign to highlight the rising number of assaults on officers will be launched next month.

He 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,” he said.

“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.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said: “Department of Finance officials have reviewed the business case and are content with the case made, subject to affordability.

“Given the wider budgetary implications of the PSNI’s request and the recurrent nature of the funding required, this matter would be for the Executive to consider and would be best done within the context of the discussions around the upcoming multi-year budget.”

Mr Boutcher attended the conference and said the federation had delivered a “hard-hitting” message.

He added that the financial pressures facing the PSNI “remain critical”.

“The recovery business plan was a modest and proportionate response to re-build the PSNI,” said Mr Boutcher.

“The case is inarguable. I am determined to put back the officers that have been taken away over the years.

“The consequences of not funding the PSNI will be felt by communities across Northern Ireland.

“Numerous independent bodies have set out very clearly the consequences of the unacceptable funding and its impact on our ability to manage high-risk offenders, investigate and prevent serious crimes, deal with anti-social behaviour and tackle the intimidating activities of paramilitaries that ruin lives across our communities.”