Orde expected to announce part retention of PSNI reserve
09/09/2004 - 08:20:14PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde is expected to announce a part retention of the full-time police reserve in the North today.
Mr Orde is due to announce his decision on the future of the 1,500-strong reserve at a meeting of the Policing Board in Belfast.
Sources in the PSNI rank and file said Mr Orde would retain more than half of the reservists, despite demands from Sinn Féin and the SDLP that the force be completely disbanded.
The Patten Report on policing reform in the North recommended the phasing out of the full-time reserve in tandem with the improving security situation.
Unionists want the force retained, claiming it is needed due to on-going paramilitary activity.
