Kelly: ‘Policing at edge of precipice’

Hard-hitting but realistic comments by the Chief Constable are described as ‘an earnest attempt to avert disaster’ by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland.

PFNI Chair Liam Kelly said the warning by Jon Boutcher could leave no one in any doubt of the dire state that policing finds itself in as it deals with inadequate funding, increasing demand and declining officer numbers.

Mr Boutcher made his comments in the Policing Plan 2025-2030 published by the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Mr Kelly said: “This Policing Plan signposts the way ahead for the Service. In an ideal world, it makes absolute sense. The fact is we’re not in an ideal world, but one that impairs and hinders the Service.

“Policing is at the edge of the precipice. And when Mr Boutcher warns that the lack of financial support will significantly worsen the position unless a sustainable fiscal plan is put in place, he should be listened to.

“This Federation agrees with the Chief Constable when he says that without a substantial baseline uplift, numbers will remain at an unacceptable and dangerously low level, and the Service will not be able to keep people safe in the way that we would want.

“These are hard-hitting but realistic comments. I regard them as a clarion call for urgent action and an earnest attempt to avert disaster in policing.

“We must halt this sleep-walking by Ministers who should ultimately be held to account for failing to protect and safeguard people and communities. They must urgently reverse this dangerous slide and face facts.

“If they don’t give my colleagues the finances and resources to do the job, then further worrying deterioration will be inevitable.”