PFNI Statement in response to Report by HMICFRS

PFNI Chair Liam Kelly, reacting to the HMICFRS Report, said: “There is nothing in this assessment that is surprising or new. As our police officers are depleted, over-stretched and doing more with less, it’s inevitable that they and the services they provide to the public are suffering.

 “We have led the call for adequate funding and increased officer numbers, but so far it seems our Ministers are not reacting positively to funding the irrefutable case that we and the Chief Constable have made.

“Our officers have commitment in abundance, but unless urgent steps are taken to fix what’s not working well, I foresee more of our talented men and women exiting their career in policing.

 “We are dangerously low in numbers and it is unfair to expect our present officer cadre to continue to pick up the slack indefinitely. Burn out is a reality and it will only get worse if there isn’t prompt funding intervention soon.”