225 reserve officers to stay on till March 2011
The Chief Constable Matt Baggott has agreed to retain 225 full-time PSNI reserve officers until 31 March 2011.
Mr Baggott said it was subject to funding, which is estimated at about £6m, being secured.
Matt Baggott announced in April that he may delay phasing-out the full-time reserve because of the escalation in the threat from dissident republicans.
The officers resettlement training which is due to begin in June will be delayed for nine months.
There are 100 officers currently taking part in that programme to help them find new jobs when they leave the PSNI.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “This is part of the overall policing strategy to provide further organisational resilience as the PSNI continues its drive to release officers back into front line service delivery.
“This move will also provide additional support to the increased operational work to disrupt the activities of criminal terrorists.”
DUP MP Ian Paisley said the decision was a “welcome move”.
“The terror threat requires a flexible police response and the retention of a body of men, skilled and experienced in anti-terrorism is essential.
“Who knows what the next year will include, but I am convinced the police service and the public will welcome this response. ”
Mr Baggott said in November he would press ahead with plans to phase out the full-time reserve by March 2011.
The DUP had listed retaining the reserve as a confidence building measure necessary for the devolution of policing and justice.
However, Mr Baggott said there was no operational need to keep it.
At the height of the Troubles there were more than 3,000 members of the reserve.
