David Ford MLA said: “All members of the Assembly will be united in paying tribute to Constable Reynolds and expressing sympathy to her parents, Mervyn and Dorothy, her sisters, the wider family circle and her colleagues in the PSNI.
“Philippa died doing the job she loved, working on behalf of everyone in this community.
“I have spoken over the weekend to the Chief Constable, the Deputy Chief Constable and other officers in Belfast and Strand Road. It was absolutely clear that this tragic death has deeply affected Philippa’s police colleagues. Yet it was also clear, even in the trauma of Saturday morning, that there was a resilience and strong determination to continue to do their duty and make Northern Ireland safer for all of us.
“While she only passed out as a Constable in early 2011, it is clear that Philippa was a dedicated officer and a valued colleague. She had previously qualified and worked as a teacher, but she gave up that profession to serve the community as a police officer.
“Although she was clearly a dedicated professional officer, she was much more than that. A keen hockey player with Owls club, she was actively involved with the Girls Brigade.
“The District Commander in G District, Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin said Constable Reynolds was one of the most enthusiastic officers, and said she had ‘just a really bubbly personality’.That has been echoed by others, and by the picture released by her family that showed her character. With the heel of her shoe caught in a grating, she was laughing when others would have cried.
“The Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, both asked me to pass on their condolences which I did on Saturday. Her tragic death has affected those who knew her, but many others as well, throughout these islands. I know that Philippa will be sadly missed by friends and neighbours in South Antrim, as well as among her police colleagues.
“On behalf of the wider Justice family, as well as my Party colleagues, I express my sympathy to Philippa’s family and colleagues and assure them that they are in our thoughts and prayers.”
ENDS