Retired police officers re-hired after criticism of ‘under-resourced’ constabulary

Published on 03/10/2012 02:14

MORE than 1,000 Northern Ireland police officers who retired to make way for recruits have returned as temporary staff, an audit office report said.

Almost a fifth of retirees under Lord Patten’s scheme to overhaul the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland and introduce more Catholics after decades of conflict have been re-employed – some within three months of leaving.

Police accused politicians who endorsed the deal as part of the peace process of being too keen to cut numbers of officers.

Terry Spence, chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland – which represents rank and file officers – said: “The consequence was an under-
resourced police service, with no choice but to rehire experienced officers.”