At today’s Resources Committee, Policing Board Members were briefed by the Chief Operating Officer on the draft budgetary settlement for the PSNI.
Committee Chair Gerry Kelly MLA said:
“The Committee heard from the Chief Operating Officer on the potential outworkings of the PSNI budgetary settlement which currently projects an operating shortfall of £180m over the next 3 years.
With staff operating costs representing around 79% of the PSNI’s current budgetary provision, Members were told that the potential for achieving savings of this level presents serious challenge and would likely mean a reduction in headcount.
Committee members expressed deep concern at the potential scenario of a reduction in officer levels of 900 over the next 3 years to meet the shortfall.
With discussions ongoing around the draft settlement, the Committee has asked for a further paper on the range of scenarios being considered by the PSNI to be brought to January 2022 Committee meeting for further consideration and discussion.”
Ends
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