Dickson: Financial mismanagement by DUP and Sinn Fein is damaging Police services

Alliance Justice spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said that the long term financial mismanagement by the DUP and Sinn Fein, and short-term politicking by the SDLP and Sinn Fein, is damaging the level of services that the PSNI will be able to provide. He was speaking after the Chief Constable, George Hamilton, briefed the Justice Committee on Wednesday afternoon.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: “The Chief Constable has laid out the impact of the cuts to PSNI in absolutely stark terms.

“Given the decision by the DUP and Sinn Fein to protect the budgets of the Departments of Health and Education, the Justice Minister had no alternative but to make deeper cuts to the PSNI budget. Long-term financial mismanagement by the DUP and Sinn Fein, and short-term politicking around welfare reform by the SDLP and Sinn Fein, is now putting public safety at risk.

“Those parties need to recognise that their refusal to take difficult decisions is having a direct impact on the safety and security of the people of Northern Ireland.

“The Chief Constable faces an extremely difficult task but I am confident that he will do his best to maintain public safety.”

ENDS