Tweet
2 December 2010
Last updated at 08:10 ET
The Policing Board has heard details of the chief constable's proposal to take 150 officers off frontline duties and use them to guard police stations.
The main monthly meeting of the board was told the move was necessary in the face of an increased dissident threat.
Some members reacted angrily with calls for officers on backroom duties to act as guards instead.
DUP board member Jimmy Spratt said reducing the number of police helping the public would be a "catastrophe".
BBC Northern Ireland's Mervyn Jess, reporting from the meeting, said it had become "heated" when the proposals were announced.
Last month, Mr Spratt, a former serving police officer, said he had concerns that only about one in three PSNI officers were on frontline duties.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software
The main monthly meeting of the board was told the move was necessary in the face of an increased dissident threat.
Some members reacted angrily with calls for officers on backroom duties to act as guards instead.
DUP board member Jimmy Spratt said reducing the number of police helping the public would be a "catastrophe".
BBC Northern Ireland's Mervyn Jess, reporting from the meeting, said it had become "heated" when the proposals were announced.
Last month, Mr Spratt, a former serving police officer, said he had concerns that only about one in three PSNI officers were on frontline duties.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software