North Down MLA Stephen Farry stated: “This is a most welcome move, and reflects the thinking within the PSNI’s own strategic review. It recognises the public desire for more visible policing, and also the need to respond to the ongoing terrorist threat.
“While we must be realistic that there will always be duties that require police officers to spend time in offices or in courts, it should also be acknowledged that there are many duties that are currently conducted by police officers for which the powers of a warranted officer and the associated training are simply not required.”
ENDS