Allister proved right on full time reserve
15 June 2009
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has responded to news that the full time Police reserve is to be axed. Mr Allister had warned about moves in that direction in a press release issued on 22nd of last month.
Then the TUV leader said:
“The full-time Police Reserve amounts to 500 Police Constables, which is 10% of the total number of Police officers involved with actual visible policing. To abolish this force at a time when the threat from dissident Republican paramilitaries has never been higher is absolute madness, and worse –it is pandering to a clear Republican agenda.
“In recent days, we have witnessed a meeting of the Policing Board held in Irish. It would seem that the powers that be would rather pay for the continued politicisation of the Police, than to ensure the PSNI is fit for purpose by retaining a crucial component of its manpower.”
“The PSNI is in grave danger of becoming a powerless Police service, while the removal of 500 additional reservists will further reduce its counter-terrorism ability. The timing of these moves is far from co-incidental, with the prospect of Policing and Justice becoming devolved and under the control of Sinn Fein/IRA in the coming months.”
Today Mr Allister added:
“It would appear that the timing of this announcement - just over a week after the European election – is political. The decision was taken and was due to be announced before the poll but it was delayed until now. The decision is a stark reminder that the drip-feed of concessions to Republicans continues apace.”
Note to editors: Jim Allister’s press release from 22nd May is online here.
