Manning to bring back reservists

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE Commissioner David Manning plans to bring back police reservists.
All reservists activities around the country ceased last Sept 15 because of litigation matters involving police that had cost the State K158.3 million in court-ordered payments to victims from Jan 1992 to 2020.
Another reason was widespread abuse by members of the reserve unit.
Regular members took advantage of the presence of reserve policemen to not turn up to work as well.
Manning yesterday said the programme was part of the election preparedness.
He made a decision to bring back the reserve police programme.
“My decision was made largely due to the current state of the force,” he said.
“We are down to a strength of 6,300 members.
“We are to retire almost 600 members at the end of this year and this will further reduce our numbers.
“The lack of funding over the years has not allowed us to recruit more policemen and women, thus, placing us in this predicament.
“A number of National Executive Council decisions were made to bring the force to a 10,000 strong force by 2020 but we are unable to do so.
“Faced with this situation, I have made the decision to bring back the reserve branch of the constabulary.
“But this time with proper coordination, and command and control, to assist us deliver a free, fair and safe 2022 national general election. The constabulary can no longer work in isolation.
“We must maintain an open-door policy to capture the wishes and aspirations of our people so that we can be effective partners, and we cannot go wrong or compromise as long as we are guided by the Police Force Act.”