Severance
The Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland recommended that the overall size of the police service should be reduced to 7500 full time officers and that generous severance packages be offered to those wishing to leave the service.
This recommendation was accepted by Government and a severance scheme was introduced. The Policing Board monitors severance, in conjunction with recruitment, to ensure the overall strength of the PSNI (7500) is being achieved and managed.