Ulster Unionist member on the Policing Board, Ross Hussey MLA, has questioned the Chief Constable on the decision to summarily dismiss over 100 part time officers for failing to complete 144 hours duty in the last year.

Ross Hussey, himself a former part time police officer, said:

“Patten envisaged an increased role for part time officers and indeed suggested an increased establishment of such officers. I served for 26 years as a part time Reserve Constable in both the RUCGC and PSNI.

“During my time we served on average 100 hours per month and were expected to make ourselves available at a moment’s notice. I am pleased times have changed and the dark days of the Troubles are behind us, but the terrorist threat remains. 

“A management decision has been made that those officers who did not complete 144 hours duty last year, or 12 hours per month, would be dismissed under the police code. There is no doubt some officers who lost interest in policing and have not performed duty should be asked to step down. But there are those who have not been detailed for duty due to budgetary constraints. Others may have experienced illness or family issues and this blanket approach is wrong. 

“Every officer concerned has received a letter effectively dismissing them from 29 June 2015. Every one of them should have been met by their Sergeant or HR manager, spoken to and given the opportunity to resign or explain their absence and perhaps retrain and recommence work.

“Some of these officers have over 30 years’ service and that loyalty has now been disregarded. I have asked for the letters to be withdrawn, the officers concerned given an opportunity to resign or retire with dignity on or before 1 September 2015, appropriately the 45th anniversary of the formation of the RUC Reserve. A reasonable approach then would be for the remainder to be required to resign effectively from 31 August. This would ensure those who leave can walk away with a sense of pride in their service.

“It is important that the remaining part-time police officers are used effectively in the community.”