Court action over Reserve withdrawn
A body representing rank and file police officers in Northern Ireland has ended a High Court challenge on the decision to press ahead with axing the Full Time Reserve.
Lawyers for the Police Federation revealed the application for a judicial review was being withdrawn because they have now been consulted on the phase-out.
The officers’ representative body had wanted a new process to be undertaken as they claimed the decision taken by former Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was flawed by non-consultation.
But following a meeting with Sir Hugh’s successor, Matt Baggott, the Police Federation has declared itself satisfied their views have been listened to.
More than 400 remaining Full Time Reserve officers are to leave the PSNI by March 2011, with front-line duties ceasing by next summer.
Federation lawyers had argued Sir Hugh’s announcement in June amounted to a fresh decision, even though police chiefs previously declared the reservists were to go.
They claimed the body was excluded from the process and called for it to be quashed so that it was left up to the new Chief Constable.
Mr Baggot has since confirmed the process for phasing out the reserves would continue.
With leave to seek a judicial review already granted, the Federation’s barrister Peter Coll said the Chief Constable had agreed to consult with his clients to hear their views on removal of the FTR.
He told the High Court: “That consultation has taken place, it’s taken place to the satisfaction of the Police Federation.
“The end result is that the decision remains the same, but nonetheless the judicial review has somewhat fallen by the wayside by virtue of the action of the new Chief Constable.
“In those circumstances I would apply to withdraw the judicial review given the remedy sought has been provided.”
The judge hearing the case ruled that legal costs are to be awarded to the Federation.
