24 November 2025
SDLP Policing Board member Colin McGrath MLA has said the PSNI’s lack of resources is being felt in communities across the North.
He was speaking ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Tuesday.
It calls on the Justice Minister to set out her plans to support officer recruitment and retention and make the PSNI more representative.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:
“The fall in PSNI officer numbers and the general lack of resources is being keenly felt in communities across Northern Ireland. This impacts everything from the neighbourhood policing teams on the ground in local areas to capacity to tackle important issues like violence against women and girls.
“The recent Police Ombudsman’s investigation into the Alexander McCartney case brought home the very real consequences of not having an adequately resourced police service. It results in delayed investigations, offenders evading justice, and in the most extreme cases, very tragic consequences.
“The Executive faces a challenging financial situation – we know that, but policing has been a pivotal achievement of our peace process and we cannot allow things to decline further. The Chief Constable has been clear that funding must be provided for the PSNI’s recovery plan or things will only get worse.
“The SDLP Opposition is urging the Justice Minister to come to the Assembly on Tuesday and outline exactly what she intends to do to increase officer numbers and deliver a police service that is truly representative of the society it serves. We have had enough deflection and misrepresentation when it comes to officer numbers and the Minister must set out a clear and credible plan to restore public confidence.”