Resignations among newly-recruited PoliceServiceNI officers have doubled in two years, with 49 quitting in the past year.
BBC News NI Home Affairs Correspondent
One constable told BBC News NI pay was a major issue - he was earning £11.91 an hour and had a second job outside his police shifts."If I had a mortgage to pay I would be finished."Data shows 49 probationary constables quit in the past financial year - up from 25 during the previous 12 months.The numbers are in sharp contrast to the picture 10 years ago, when eight officers quit in the period after training.
After completing training, officers are also paid a £3,500 allowance in acknowledgement of the additional security threat faced by police in Northern Ireland.The Police Federation, which represents officers, put BBC News NI in contact with a number of officers who spoke on condition of anonymity."I had to get clearance to do the other job and more are going down that route," he said."The stress is a lot more than people realise, especially with there being a security threat.
"We pay quite heavily into our pension. But people are opting out of it as they can't afford the £300-400 a month.The issue has been discussed between PSNI commanders and the Policing Board.
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