The Ulster Unionist Party’s Policing spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, has called for action to reduce the shocking level of assaults on officers. Recently released statistics showed that an average of almost 3,000 assaults a year on PSNI officers have been recorded over the past 10 years.
Alan Chambers MLA said:
“These shocking statistics reveal that approximately 40% of PSNI officers are assaulted annually for simply doing their jobs. As one officer said, although it is to be expected when you sign up to join the police, that doesn’t make it acceptable. No one should have to face violence in the course of their job or duty, especially if that involves trying to help people and keep them safe.
“I utterly condemn those responsible for the assaults, and would support a minimum custodial sentence for those convicted of assaulting all emergency services staff, whether that be Police officers, Paramedics, Fire crews or whoever.
“The fact that these 3,000 assaults occur on an annual basis is testament to the restraint of our officers. PSNI officers are given expert training and carry the best equipment to protect the public and themselves, yet in many cases resist the temptation to defend themselves using lawful force and are injured whilst trying to talk a situation down, and in the process become victims themselves.
“Such restraint is admirable but society – and the criminal justice system - simply cannot expect the police to continue to accept what is an intolerable state of affairs and more must be done to protect officers.”