LEGISLATORS are concerned by the Government's plans to cut the police force's budget, even though 381 more officers will be on the payroll.
At least eight departments suffer cuts in the Financial Secretary Mr Hamish Macleod's estimates of expenditure for the next financial year, but law enforcement fares badly.
The police allocation is cut by $54 million, or 0.74 per cent, the unit which supervises the investigation into complaints against the force loses four of its 25 men. Meanwhile, the tax man has to do with $3 million or 0.45 per cent less, and the Consumer Council loses $83,000 a year.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is given an extra $6.6 million, a rise of only 1.8 per cent, while other departments enjoy rises of up to 80 per cent, with overall expenditure growing by the target of five per cent in real terms.
Police operations dealing with illegal immigration, major disasters and terrorism will be the worst hit by the budget constraints.
These sectors have had $12.8 million trimmed from last year's $722.7 million, allowing for a reduction of 188 posts and less spent on rewards and special services, such as expenses during undercover work.