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Police 'have had difficult year' No impact from reserve move: Orde
(about 3 hours later)
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has paid tribute to the work of his officers "in a very challenging environment". The chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde, has denied that abolishing the full-time police reserve will put the public or his officers at risk.
Sir Hugh said that, with the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll and the deaths of four officers in a car crash, it had been "a difficult year". He is to meet senior officers later to discuss the phasing out of the reserve, which he said was now down to about 380 officers.
The Police Federation says the move is premature, given the current threat from dissidents.
But Sir Hugh also said there would be no impact on front-line policing.
"I am absolutely committed to making sure that my officers at the front-line are under no extra threat, which is sufficient and significant enough, because of any decision I make," he said.
"This why I'm spending all day today with my senior officers. Furthermore, I delayed this decision because of the concerns.
"It's also very important the public don't suddenly feel we're walking away from anything because we are not - there are 7,500 officer out there protecting communities every day."
With almost 10,000 applications for only 440 posts this year, we continue to attract the very best talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond Sir Hugh Order
Meanwhile, Sir Hugh has paid tribute to the work of his officers "in a very challenging environment".
He said that, with the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll and the deaths of four officers in a car crash, it had been "a difficult year".
He made the comments in his last annual report before leaving the PSNI.He made the comments in his last annual report before leaving the PSNI.
Meanwhile, Sir Hugh Orde will meet his senior officers later on Monday to discuss the future of the full-time reserve. "It is a sign of how far we have come here that people from all sides stood together in sorrow at these events," said Sir Hugh.
The chief constable has indicated he will press ahead with plans to phase out the reserve which consists of more than 500 officers.
The Police Federation is opposed to the move, saying it would be premature, given the threat from dissidents.
In his latest annual report, Sir Hugh said: "It is a sign of how far we have come here that people from all sides stood together in sorrow at these events.
"It has been a year that we as a Police Service will not forget.""It has been a year that we as a Police Service will not forget."
He said policing was a popular career choice in Northern Ireland and the service "reflects the people we serve, from all communities, backgrounds and ages".He said policing was a popular career choice in Northern Ireland and the service "reflects the people we serve, from all communities, backgrounds and ages".
We are not complacent - we will continue to work to increase our clearance rates and reduce crime across Northern Ireland, Sir Hugh Orde
"With almost 10,000 applications for only 440 posts this year, we continue to attract the very best talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond," he said."With almost 10,000 applications for only 440 posts this year, we continue to attract the very best talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond," he said.
Clearance
Sir Hugh said the latest annual statistics showed recorded crime had increased for the first time in more than seven years.Sir Hugh said the latest annual statistics showed recorded crime had increased for the first time in more than seven years.
He said the police's clearance rate had increased by 3%, which meant more criminals were being caught and brought before the courts.He said the police's clearance rate had increased by 3%, which meant more criminals were being caught and brought before the courts.
"We are not complacent - we will continue to work to increase our clearance rates and reduce crime across Northern Ireland," he said."We are not complacent - we will continue to work to increase our clearance rates and reduce crime across Northern Ireland," he said.
The 12-page report is being sent to all households across Northern Ireland.The 12-page report is being sent to all households across Northern Ireland.
Sir Hugh is leaving the PSNI after seven years in charge to become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.Sir Hugh is leaving the PSNI after seven years in charge to become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.