Menu
21/08/2001
Reid calls on parties to sign up to policing plan
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dr John Reid has expressed confidence that the cross community policing board to oversee the new police service will be set up by the end of September.
Speaking in Londonderry on Tuesday, Dr Reid acknowledged his midday deadline for parties to accept the implementation plan of the police service had passed but also acknowledged it would take a little longer for all the parties to be ready.
To date the SDLP are the only party to sign up to the police board and accept the implementation plan. Sinn Féin have rejected the proposals while the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party have decided to take more time to consider the package.
However Dr Reid said it was his “confident hope and expectation that by the end of September we shall have established the first ever Policing Board in Northern Ireland to command political support from both sides of the community”.
He said the SDLP’s decision on Monday to nominate to the Policing Board was a “cultural shift every bit as great as unionists have been asked to make”.
He added: “None of them is, or is going to be, 100 per cent satisfied. All of us know that in a democracy, no one, not even Governments, can refuse to move forward just because they do not get everything they want.
“That is why I shall take no satisfaction if any single party refuses to join the Policing Board.
“Any refusal is not only a loss to the process, it denies people their own constituency rights. Their right to be represented in the new police service. Their right to see the men and women they elected playing a full part in every area of life in Northern Ireland. But let no-one say that the opportunity is not there.”
Dr Reid stressed that the people and the politicians who represent them must take responsibility for and claim ownership of this process, he concluded: “We all have to accept a degree of compromise for the greater good and to promote change from within the system, not hang back until the circumstances suit.” (AMcE)
Speaking in Londonderry on Tuesday, Dr Reid acknowledged his midday deadline for parties to accept the implementation plan of the police service had passed but also acknowledged it would take a little longer for all the parties to be ready.
To date the SDLP are the only party to sign up to the police board and accept the implementation plan. Sinn Féin have rejected the proposals while the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party have decided to take more time to consider the package.
However Dr Reid said it was his “confident hope and expectation that by the end of September we shall have established the first ever Policing Board in Northern Ireland to command political support from both sides of the community”.
He said the SDLP’s decision on Monday to nominate to the Policing Board was a “cultural shift every bit as great as unionists have been asked to make”.
He added: “None of them is, or is going to be, 100 per cent satisfied. All of us know that in a democracy, no one, not even Governments, can refuse to move forward just because they do not get everything they want.
“That is why I shall take no satisfaction if any single party refuses to join the Policing Board.
“Any refusal is not only a loss to the process, it denies people their own constituency rights. Their right to be represented in the new police service. Their right to see the men and women they elected playing a full part in every area of life in Northern Ireland. But let no-one say that the opportunity is not there.”
Dr Reid stressed that the people and the politicians who represent them must take responsibility for and claim ownership of this process, he concluded: “We all have to accept a degree of compromise for the greater good and to promote change from within the system, not hang back until the circumstances suit.” (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 October 2004
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
DPP support reinforces police work: Murphy
The new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland have been reinforced by the creation of District Policing Partnerships and enhanced by the calibre of the men and women who serve on them, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said.
20 November 2007
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
26 March 2004
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
19 November 2003
SDLP issues 12 point plan for safer communities
The SDLP have issued a 12 point plan which it says will lead to safer communities if implemented. Policing spokesman Alex Attwood said his party would be pushing for full implementation of the plan over the next fours within the District Policing Partnerships and the Policing Board.
SDLP issues 12 point plan for safer communities
The SDLP have issued a 12 point plan which it says will lead to safer communities if implemented. Policing spokesman Alex Attwood said his party would be pushing for full implementation of the plan over the next fours within the District Policing Partnerships and the Policing Board.
12 August 2003
Durkan describes policing threat as 'despicable'
SDLP leader, Mark Durkan has condemned those who sent bullets to the deputy chairman of the NI Policing Board and a member of the DPP in Londonderry, describing it as "despicable".
Durkan describes policing threat as 'despicable'
SDLP leader, Mark Durkan has condemned those who sent bullets to the deputy chairman of the NI Policing Board and a member of the DPP in Londonderry, describing it as "despicable".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
