‘U-turn’ on recruitment welcome, but clarification on timeframe needed, says PFNI
The chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Liam Kelly, has welcomed confirmation of the £200 million Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Recovery Plan, but says questions around the timeframe remain.
The First Minister said on Friday (June 20) that the Finance Minister would sign off on the plan, but the Justice Minister, in a BBC interview, raised the possibility it could be a three-to-five-year timeframe which could stretch it out to 2030.
This follows approval of the merits of the Business Case which aimed to boost officer numbers to 7,000 by 2028 but not actioned on the basis that it could not be afforded.
Mr Kelly has called for clarification around the timeframe and the planned schedule of investment.
Mr Kelly said: “I am very pleased there has been a re-think by ministers. This U-turn followed pressure from ourselves, the chief constable and realisation of just how under-strength we are following days of violent unrest in various centres.
“Right now, numerical strength has slipped further. We currently stand at 6,198 which is 26 fewer than we had when I addressed our annual conference a month ago.
“The Justice Minister said expanding officer numbers would depend on how quickly they could get recruits through the Training College – £7 million will be allocated this year with a larger amount earmarked for 2026 to both retain officers and recruit.
“Interestingly, she mentioned it could be three-to-five years to implement the expansion but later, she declared that the 7,000 would be by the end of 2028. My question is: which is it – 2028 or 2030?
Mr Kelly added: “It’s worth remembering that the chief constable envisaged potentially reaching 8,000 by 2030, so there is an urgent need for clarification on both numbers and timeframe.
“Although welcome, 7,000 officers by 2030 won’t cut the mustard. It would still be 1,000 fewer than what’s required, assuming there wasn’t slippage and further financial constraints.
“I would like to see a detailed breakdown from the Justice Department and some firm commitments. I agree with the Minister that the announcement by the First Minister is ‘potentially a game-changer’, but let’s see the hard detail before striking up the band.”