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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| PSNI Reserve phase-out 'delayed' | PSNI Reserve phase-out 'delayed' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Chief Constable Matt Baggott may delay the phasing-out of the police full-time reserve because of the escalation in the threat from dissident republicans. | Chief Constable Matt Baggott may delay the phasing-out of the police full-time reserve because of the escalation in the threat from dissident republicans. |
| More than 200 officers due to begin resettlement training in June could be asked to stay on for nine months. | More than 200 officers due to begin resettlement training in June could be asked to stay on for nine months. |
| Mr Baggott said in November he would press ahead with plans to phase out the full-time reserve by March next year. | Mr Baggott said in November he would press ahead with plans to phase out the full-time reserve by March next year. |
| Part of the severance package included a nine-month resettlement training programme to help them find new jobs. | Part of the severance package included a nine-month resettlement training programme to help them find new jobs. |
| It is estimated that keeping the officers on would cost around £6m. | It is estimated that keeping the officers on would cost around £6m. |
| There are 100 officers currently taking part in that programme and the final 227 members of the reserve are due to join it in June to prepare them for losing their jobs in March next year. | There are 100 officers currently taking part in that programme and the final 227 members of the reserve are due to join it in June to prepare them for losing their jobs in March next year. |
| It is understood the chief constable may ask them to defer their training for nine months and remain on duty until next March. | It is understood the chief constable may ask them to defer their training for nine months and remain on duty until next March. |
| Sources said that postponing the phasing-out of the reserve is one of a number of options being considered to address the escalating dissident threat. | Sources said that postponing the phasing-out of the reserve is one of a number of options being considered to address the escalating dissident threat. |
| The SDLP's Alex Attwood said people should appreciate that the move does not mean the full-time reserve is being retained indefinitely. | |
| "There is a security situation and the response to that security situation isn't ultimately going to be determined by whether the full-time reserve stays for another nine months or not," he said. | |
| "It will be determined by how many people across this island assist the Garda and and the PSNI with information in respect to what the dissidents are doing." | |
| Ulster Unionist Billy Armstong said his party had suggested the move to the chief constable towards the end of last year. | |
| "If you lived in mid-Ulster, you would know that the dissident threat was at a high rate and he accepted that dissident (activity) was on the increase and this has come through, that the dissidents have increased their attacks in the last six months," he said. | |
| "With the high threat of dissidents we need men with expertise - full-time reserve men do have that expertise." |