Spratt Comments on Full Time Reserve Announcement

 

DUP Policing Board member Jimmy Spratt has responded to the announcement made today by the Chief Constable Batt Baggott regarding the future of the Full-Time Reserve.  Speaking today Mr. Spratt said,

"The announcement by the Chief Constable flies in the face of opinions coming forward from grass-roots policing. It would also appear to fly in the face of simple logic to have the Chief Constable recommending Northern Ireland should have fewer police officers when there is an obvious need for more.  

Only this week the IMC reported that the dissident threat is at its highest level since that body came into being. The DUP has also met with Police commanders across the Province who have reinforced the need for resources to tackle the dissident republican terrorists.  

The Full-Time Reserve have a reservoir of knowledge and experience, particularly in tackling terrorism which Northern Ireland can ill afford to lose. In places such as County Fermanagh where there is clear evidence of dissident republicans operating the Full Time Reserve make up a very significant proportion of the overall policing resources available there. 

Community confidence is absolutely vital to any devolution of policing and justice and clearly any decision which would reduce the capacity of the police to tackle terrorism will have an adverse impact on that confidence."