Up to 650 civilians are to be recruited to free up more officers for the understrength police service in Northern Ireland, it was announced today.
The new jobs involve staff ranging from CCTV operators, receptionists, security guards, administrative workers, development managers, personnel officers and technicians.
Acting Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast Maggie Hunter said: "Every additional officer we can get out from behind a desk and back on to patrol is going to make a difference in the fight against crime."
Chief Constable Hugh Orde's force has been left seriously under-resourced following the retirement of hundreds of officers in the aftermath of the introduction of new policing arrangements.
More than 30 officers have been drafted from Britain to strengthen CID, the department hardest hit.
Alarmingly high sickness levels have also increased the pressure on senior commanders, particularly in Belfast and Derry.
More than 700 new officers have joined since April last year, but the force remains well short of the numbers which Mr Orde believes are needed to police the North properly.
The service already employs 3,200 civilians, and in addition to the 650 new jobs to be recruited on a 50-50 basis between Protestants and Catholics, another 250 are being sought to fill existing civilian vacancies.
Joe Stewart, senior director of human resources, said: "The recruitment of these civilians will allow more officers to get back on the beat."
PA