Former Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith, believes joint army-police posts are an outdated, cosmetic measure that create the appearance of action, but will do little to deter criminals.
Last evening, the Prime Minister said there will be 30 such posts, following requests from communities for an increased security presence.
In a response shared online, Mr Griffith points out such posts must be staffed, which means more officers assigned to static locations, and less available for mobile patrols, high-visibility operations and responses to emergency calls.
Mr Griffith is instead recommending a properly functioning 999 system linked directly to operational vehicles deployed throughout defined areas of responsibility.
He says every police vehicle should be GPS-tracked, with dispatchers able to identify and send the nearest available unit immediately.
He adds that persons calling 999 should never be placed on hold, told that no one is available, or forced to call individual police stations in search of assistance.
