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Halt urged on police reserve plan Halt urged on police reserve plan
(about 10 hours later)
The union that represents police officers in Northern Ireland has urged the chief constable to postpone plans to phase out the full-time reserve.The union that represents police officers in Northern Ireland has urged the chief constable to postpone plans to phase out the full-time reserve.
Sir Hugh Orde has indicated that he intends to press ahead with a plan to abolish the reserve by March 2011.Sir Hugh Orde has indicated that he intends to press ahead with a plan to abolish the reserve by March 2011.
That date was recommended by the Patten Commission on police reform.That date was recommended by the Patten Commission on police reform.
But the Police Federation said a move to phase out the reserve would be premature at a time when the dissident threat is at its highest.But the Police Federation said a move to phase out the reserve would be premature at a time when the dissident threat is at its highest.
There are currently 500 full-time members of the police reserve. Its chairman Terry Spence said: "We see no reason, absolutely none as to why these officers should be phased out."
"We think this is too big a gamble and too big a risk for the current chief constable to take and it should be left to the new chief constable."
Sir Hugh is leaving his post in three months time to become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
During the Troubles, the full-time reservists often carried out the same jobs, and faced the same dangers, as regular police officers.During the Troubles, the full-time reservists often carried out the same jobs, and faced the same dangers, as regular police officers.
Forty-nine of them were killed in the line of duty.Forty-nine of them were killed in the line of duty.
Huge Orde is stepping down as chief constable in three months There are plans to phase out the full-time reserve
In 1999, the Patten Commission on police reform said the reserve should be scrapped by March 2011.In 1999, the Patten Commission on police reform said the reserve should be scrapped by March 2011.
Sir Hugh Orde, who will discuss the issue with his senior command team on Monday, has indicated that he intends to meet that deadline. Sir Hugh, who will discuss the issue with his senior command team on Monday, has indicated that he intends to meet that deadline. There are currently 500 full-time reservists.
But the Police Federation said that would be a huge mistake. Mr Spence said the 500 full time reservists represented 9% of constables in Northern Ireland.
Its chairman, Terry Spence, has written to members of the Policing Board arguing for the plan to be postponed. He has written to members of the Policing Board arguing for the plan to be postponed.
The letter pointed out that the chief constable has stated on a number of occasions that the threat from dissident republicans is now higher than ever. His letter pointed out that the chief constable had stated on a number of occasions that the threat from dissident republicans is now higher than ever.
It said phasing out the full-time reserve would be an "ill-calculated and unnecessary gamble". Mr Spence is to speak to members of the Policing Board on Monday. He will also hold talks with the security minister.
The Federation says Sir Hugh, who will step down from his post as chief constable in three months, should leave the decision to his successor.