The union that represents rank and file police officers in Northern Ireland has accused the British government and politicians at Stormont of failing them.
The chair of the Police Federation accused local politicians of "throwing the toys out of the pram" and urged them to end their "squabbling" and go back into power-sharing.
Liam Kelly told its annual conference in Limavady in Co Derry, that Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and his government are out of touch and do not care about policing.
He was also strongly critical of the power-sharing Stormont Executive before its suspension, telling delegates "it too failed to deliver."
The federation chair said there had to be a better way to resolve the ongoing political dispute over the post-Brexit trade deal and other contentious issues than "throwing the toys out of the pram."
He said the PSNI is facing a budget cut of £120m that will "cripple" the service and declining numbers at a time when the threat level against officers is "severe".
Mr Kelly paid tribute to Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot several times and seriously injured in an attack by the dissident republican group the New IRA in Co Tyrone, in February.
"Today, we say loud and clear to John, his wife Jacqueline and son Jack that the rank and file stand united in total support with you.
"That your brother and sister officer colleagues will not let up until those who planned and carried out this cowardly ambush on you in Omagh in February are placed before the courts and sent to prison where they belong."
The federation represents all PSNI officers up to and including the rank of chief inspector, around 98% of the total of just over 6,500.
Mr Heaton-Harris declined an invitation to attend its conference, so an empty chair with his name on it was placed in the second row.
In April, the federation welcomed a visit by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Mr Caldwell as he recovered in hospital.
But Mr Kelly was today highly critical of the UK government and Mr Heaton-Harris.
"It's a real pity he's not here today. It's a pity because I would have liked for him to hear at first hand our disappointments, frustrations and anger. His absence didn't come as a surprise," Mr Kelly said.
"His failure to meet, or attend our conference, is testament to an out-of touch UK government and Secretary of State who seemingly couldn't care less, or care about our policing service, or care about you and your colleagues who do what you do every day of every week.
"When push comes to shove, it seems obvious that if the policing crisis doesn’t impact on Conservative seats, it doesn't make it on to the political Richter scale."
He was also strongly critical of Stormont’s politicians, saying they had failed to deliver on policing before power-sharing was suspended last year,
Mr Kelly said the New Decade New Approach agreement that restored devolution in January 2020 following a three-year suspension over the so called "cash for ash" scandal had promised to increase police numbers to 7,500, but that the number could soon fall to around 6,000.
He described the reduction in budget and numbers as "unsustainable, dangerous, irresponsible."
Mr Kelly added: "Stormont isn’t working. There has to be a better way of sorting out difficulties over the Windsor Framework and the Northern Ireland Protocol and, before all that, other crises such as RHI, without throwing the toys out of the pram.
"Selective withdrawals from the executive can no longer be tolerated. If that means going back to the drawing board to remove vetoes, then so be it. Northern Ireland cannot afford to be held back by this crude device.
"If there is a problem, sort it out across the table. Walking away isn’t the solution. We want real and effective government. "
Mr Kelly appealed to local politicians to get back to work and to build the new Northern Ireland envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement.
"There’s nothing further to be gained by continuing your squabbling," he said.
"Instead, apply yourselves to providing solid, good government for all. Where your constituents and our society come first."
