The Police Association in a statement today said that that it backed calls for the police to be able to join a trade union, but it insisted it was not seeking the right to strike.

“There will obviously have to be some restrictions and conditions as expected of a disciplined corps. However most police forces in Europe enjoy this fundamental right, which also stems from the European Social Charter.”

The association said it was therefore calling on the government to ratify the charter.

The association said the issue had been discussed in the police arbitration board and had been referred to arbitration.

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