THE head of the Police Federation has called for more clarity over what powers officers may have under new Covid restrictions announced this week by the Executive.
From midnight on Thursday police have the legal power to enforce the stay at home message, which was previously a restriction contained only in guidance.
Only those on essential business, shopping for food or medical supplies, to exercise or who are unable to work from home will be permitted to leave their home address.
The Police Federation said given the recent announcement it was concerned about "gaps" in the law.
Federation chairman Mark Lindsay said that news of new powers for police under the Covid restrictions was often met with an "eye roll" by uniformed officers.
"Over the last year - and that is down in part to policing having to take sole responsibility for any enforcement which we feel is impractical - we have some legislation which is often rushed and incomplete which makes it very difficult to actually enforce.
"What the police do not want to do is become almost like a police state, with a big stick putting people into their houses or reporting people for prosecution when they don't comply, everyone has a social responsibility to comply with this.
"It is right and proper that there is legislation there and powers of enforcement to ensure that those who are continually breaching the rules and the most serious breaches of the rules are held to account, but this is almost impossible if there are massive holes in the legislation.
"The legislation needs to be watertight. It should not be up to the police to try and join the dots together where there are gaps in this legislation", he said.
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle Mr Lindsay also pointed to the fact that there is currently a grey area over powers of entry under the Covid legislation for people having house parties.
He also called for front line officers to be vaccinated as a matter of urgency, saying there were currently 500 officers self isolating and more than 100 confirmed cases.
The First and Deputy First Minister Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill said they would be meeting with Chief Constable Simon Byrne to discuss the new restrictions.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said, while the new beefed up legislation was necessary, "these are, however, significant human rights which we are restricting" adding that ministers "have a duty in law to ensure those restrictions are proportionate".
She also said, while there was no 10 mile travel limit proposed in the new regulations, there is an advisory10 mile limit in guidance for those travelling to take exercise.
