The chief constable has targets for reducing sickness absence

New figures show that on an average working day in September there were 418 police officers off sick.

This is a reduction of 53 officers from the figure of 471 who were not available for duty in September 2003.

The figures were presented to Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board's Human Resources Committee.

Sickness absence

On each day 5.6% of regular officers were off sick.

Pauline McCabe, chair of the Policing Board's Human Resources Committee, said that strident efforts were being made to tackle the issue of sickness among police officers.

She said: "The accountability mechanisms in place will continue to ensure that the performance of the Police Service is scrutinised by the Policing Board on behalf of the community PSNI serves with the continuing goal of making our streets safer."

The PSNI's Human Resources Planning Strategy had set targets for Chief Constable Hugh Orde to reduce the average annual level of sickness absence for officers to 17 days per officer by 31 March 2005.

Three years ago last week, when both PSNI and the Policing Board were established, there were on average 1,000 Regular and Full-Time Reserve officers off sick per day Pauline McCabe Policing Board

Figures the committee received also showed that average annual sickness absence for each officer, with 6 months of the year remaining, stood at just over 7 days for all police officers.

Mrs McCabe said: "Three years ago last week, when both PSNI and the Policing Board were established, there were on average 1,000 Regular and Full-Time Reserve officers off sick per day."

"Latest figures show that the figure now stands at 584 officers or 6.5% of all police officers which is a considerable achievement and shows a healthy downward trend that the Policing Board welcomes and will continue to monitor and expect to be continued."