Debate contribution: Neighbourhood Policing
Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on .
- MLA
- Mrs Naomi Long
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Neighbourhood Policing
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5762089
Read the official Assembly record
Text
My strategic priority is to support the recovery and stabilisation of the workforce by enabling the PSNI to recruit, retain and develop high-quality officers, while protecting morale, well-being and operational resilience. Indeed, last week, at an event organised by the PSNI about dealing with misogyny, sexism and chauvinism in our society, I was photographed with one of the boards that will be used as part of the next recruitment exercise. The earmarked allocations for PSNI workforce recovery in the draft Budget, which is, of course, not in place, demonstrate the importance that the Executive have placed on investing in policing and on recognising the critical role that the service plays, but we need Executive approval for that funding. It should be noted, however, that the funding for workforce recovery is of limited value in the absence of sufficient funding for the PSNI to pay for its existing staff complement and running costs. I will continue to engage with Executive colleagues to advocate additional funding for policing and the rest of the justice system, because we need to have a justice sector that is funded appropriately now and in future years. The rule of law and a culture of lawfulness matter.
It rests on all of us to prioritise it when it comes to the Budget.
215 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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