Spratt comments on the new Chief Constable

 

DUP Policing Board member and South Belfast MLA Jimmy Spratt said,

"I look forward to working with Matt Baggott as he takes up the reigns to one of the most scrutinised police services in the world.  However, his honeymoon period will be short-lived as his in-tray is already packed with serious issues requiring urgent attention. 

The threat posed by dissident republican terrorists will be top of Matt Baggott’s priorities, especially given the recent upsurge in their brazen activities.  These criminals are intent on dragging Northern Ireland back to its dark past, and the security forces are once again prime targets.  The continuing threat from these dissidents has been officially described as severe, and it is no secret that the police officers on the ground already feel over-stretched and in urgent need of extra resources as well as equipment and appropriate training.   

As a Party, we strongly opposed the outgoing Chief Constable’s decision to push ahead with phasing out the Full Time Reserves.  We stand firm in this position and we will urge Matt Baggott to retain these officers, as they provide the PSNI with immeasurable experience and support, especially in fighting the dissident threat.  It would also appear that some of the senior management within the PSNI seem determined to reduce the compliment of officers even further.  If there was ever a time to contemplate any reduction in the number of police officers, it is certainly not now.   

We will also continue to question the closure of further police stations throughout the Province and the inappropriate removal of PPWs from former security force members.  Political pressure to cut costs should not be allowed to undermine the new Chief Constable’s ability to deal with the security situation.  Neither the public nor the DUP will accept any further reduction in the resources for the PSNI.

The dissident threat is certainly not the only challenge facing the new Chief Constable.  He will also have to assume command of a Service, which is facing considerable pressure to balance multi-million funding cuts, against the demand for more police officers on the ground.  The ramifications of the Strategic Review flagged up serious shortcomings within the PSNI and it reaffirmed the need for the PSNI to be resourced appropriately especially in terms of finance.  These pressures are extremely dangerous and should be addressed immediately.  This is not a time for budget cuts in Northern Ireland policing.  Unless the new Chief Constable is able to retain his resources, both in terms of finance and officers, the task of crushing these dissidents will be much more difficult.”