THE POLICE FEDERATION of Northern Ireland has called for an extra 1,000 officers to be recruited to the PSNI.

Speaking to Stephen Nolan on BBC Radio Ulster yesterday, Chairman Terry Spence outlined his concerns about fatigue and burn-out among current members as a result of working “around the clock” during a summer of violence.

He noted that 350 officers have been injured in the past year, the majority in incidents of public disorder. Some officers have broken bones in their legs, arms and elbows, while others have lost teeth or been knocked unconscious.

“This has been going on now for 18 months. There is no sign of this violence abating and the resurgence of loyalist paramilitary activity, we need an urgent boost to our numbers,” he said.

The representative group has written to Chief Constable Matt Baggott warning about the current situation.

Spence said the recent call-up of 1,000 officers from England, Scotland and Wales underlines his rgument. He believes it is not a solution to draft in resources from other forces because policing in Northern Ireland is “unique” and wholly different to what occurs in Glasgow and other areas.

“We are dealing with public disorder where paramilitary organisations resort to blast bombs, nail bombs and petrol bombs”.

He also mentioned the increased and severe risk to the lives of officers from dissident republicans as a problem creating stress among members of the PSNI, revealing that there is an increase in the numbers currently seeking psychiatric and psychological counselling.

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