Timing and Implementation of Police Community Support raises questions - Hussey
Castlederg Councillor and Ulster Unionist West Tyrone Assembly member, Derek Hussey, says the timing and implementation of a Police Community Support initiative raises more questions than it gives answers.
The MLA said: “It would be churlish not to welcome any additional resources to the Policing of our community.
“However, the current establishment of the new Police Service of 7,500 Full Time Officers, includes 1,000 who are Part Time Officers and there are currently approximately 690 Full Time Reserve Officers still in the Service who remain on three-year contracts. So what guarantee is there of their future within the service?
“These are fully trained and experienced Police Officers with full police powers. The Chief Constable has admitted that they are an invaluable resource within the need of his Policing requirements. Not to mention those Officers who were allowed to part from the Service taking with them considerable knowledge and expertise.
“The agreed establishment of the Part Time Reserve has an upper limit of 2,500 Officers. To date this figure has reached approximately 1,000 and some District Command Units are not permitted to commence recruitment of new Part Time Officers within their areas.
Surely Officers with proper policing powers would be more valuable than Community Support Officers with extremely limited powers?
“Most citizens will say that there is a shortage of Police resources in their own areas. Current constraints on the Police Service still allow for this manpower shortfall to be addressed.
“The Police Service is subject to a set budget - if the PCSO initiative goes ahead, it will be paid for from within the Service’s current budget - what are the implications in regard to ongoing recruitment/retention and training of additional Regular and Part Time Officers?”
Mr Hussey concluded by adding: “I believe that only when the permitted establishment of the Police Service is fully achieved should consideration be given to initiatives such as the introduction of Community Support Officers, to address perceived and actual identified additional requirements to the policing needs of our community.”