Police force cuts jobs to balance its budget

Published on Friday 27 November 2009 21:39

THE police force with the country's biggest beat is to cut 20 civilian jobs and put a freeze on recruitment to help it to balance its books.

Northern Constabulary says the efficiency savings are necessary to meet the force budget.

To avoid the need for compulsory redundancies, Northern invited staff to apply for voluntary severance packages and received about 40 inquiries.

Chief Constable Ian Latimer said: "The foreseeable future is very challenging for public-sector budgets, and difficult decisions will be necessary, for which we have a responsibility to ensure are made with the best interests of the communities we serve.

"We will continue to deliver the best possible service with the money available. Voluntary redundancies and efficiency savings will aim to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies, which may be necessary to achieve the savings required."

The force currently has more than 800 officers, a rise of about 150 in the past two years.

The Northern Joint Police Board was told yesterday that the total revenue budget available or the coming year would be set at 59.1 million.