Large numbers of disillusioned police officers are lining up to leave the new Northern Ireland police force, it was claimed tonight.
Several rank-and-file officers hit out at the British government's handling of the introduction of sweeping reforms which they say has left morale at an all-time low.
Former London Metropolitan deputy assistant commissioner Mr Hugh Orde, who has just taken over as Chief Constable, has admitted facing huge difficulties. At a conference of the Police Federation near Belfast attended by Secretary of State Dr John Reid, the mood was dark.
Mr Gary Murphy, a constable who has completed nearly 24 years service, voiced bitter opposition to the severance arrangements which mean he cannot leave for another three years.
He said: "I don't want to be part of the police any more but I'm trapped ... There are a large number of officers who want to get out because it's not the police force they joined."
Mr Murphy (41) who works in the control room at Coleraine station in Co Derry, claimed police sacrifices have been ignored. "I've had 11 colleagues killed during my service and I've been injured myself in serious bomb explosions.
"Right now I feel it was all for no use."
His anger was directed at the British government for pressing ahead with the Patten programme of reform.
Full-time reservists had arrived for the conference seeking an end to the uncertainty which has plagued them. Under the Patten blueprint they are to be phased out.
But one Armagh-based officer with 11 years service who asked not to be named outlined the bitter resentment the situation has provoked. "We feel we've been hung out to dry," he said.
"The Government has done nothing for us, they are only interested in certain sections of the community."
The officer was heartened by new chief constable Hugh Orde's insistence that the full-time reserves were essential to his plans for frontline policing.
"But at the end of the day is he really making the decisions?" he asked. "He wants to retain us but we keep hearing different things. My contract's due for renewal next year and if I get a new one I'll have a job for four years ... But after that I just don't know." Mr Peter Murphy, a full-time reserve constable based in east Belfast claimed uncertainty was a major factor in the huge sickness levels which hit police in Northern Ireland.
"As soon as it's sorted out you will see a big difference," he said. "A lot of the sickness is down to the stress of officers not knowing their future."
PA