Menu
28/01/2003
SDLP policing proposals slammed
The SDLP has received widespread criticism after calling for the closure of 25 police and army bases, and the introduction of an unarmed police force.
At a news conference on Tuesday, the party released a six-page document which pressed for faster movement towards such goals and said the proposals were valid in the current security scenario.
The report read: "It is clear that, while there are areas where people are reassured by the existence of a local police station, some stations provide little policing purpose, take officers 'off the ground' and are not financially viable."
The Police Federation, however, have hit out at the plans describing them as "fantasy policing" given that terrorism was still on the streets of Northern Ireland.
Speaking on BBC Radio's Talk Back programme today, the Federation's Terry Spence said the issue of an unarmed police force was debated as long as 10 years ago and was rejected as unsustainable back then, even if the future brought no terrorist threat.
Describing the SDLP's proposals as "incredible and beyond belief", Mr Spence said the Federation was equally opposed to closing stations down.
Members of the public, he added, wanted to see police stations operating in their communities.
Mr Spence also claimed that the SDLP had refused on numerous occasions to meet with them and discuss issues raised in the document.
He said the Federation and its members suspected they had refused to do so because they "can't square the circle" with regard to many of these issues.
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy also slammed the plans claiming they were "unrealistic".
The Newry and Armagh assembly member said: "For SDLP representatives to say the community's need for proper policing can be better and best served by other means is beyond belief. The question is: are the SDLP living in the real world?
“We are living in times when other police forces across the world are having to protect their officers from rising attacks. More officers are now being armed. That is a fact of life and it reflects the times we live in.
“Firearms related crime on the mainland has increased by 20% in the past year, a terrorist threat still exists in Northern Ireland, albeit to a lesser degree than before, loyalist feuding continues and gang-related crime is also a major concern."
Mr Kennedy said that rather than addressing the serious issues of effective policing of the community, the SDLP only seemed concerned in positioning themselves alongside Sinn Fein with an election imminent.
The DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr also claimed that the SDLP's proposal was a "desperate" attempt to keep votes from Sinn Fein in an assembly election and that any such move would be an act of folly.
Alliance Assembly member Seamus Close also hit out at the demands describing them as "dangerous hype".
(MB)
At a news conference on Tuesday, the party released a six-page document which pressed for faster movement towards such goals and said the proposals were valid in the current security scenario.
The report read: "It is clear that, while there are areas where people are reassured by the existence of a local police station, some stations provide little policing purpose, take officers 'off the ground' and are not financially viable."
The Police Federation, however, have hit out at the plans describing them as "fantasy policing" given that terrorism was still on the streets of Northern Ireland.
Speaking on BBC Radio's Talk Back programme today, the Federation's Terry Spence said the issue of an unarmed police force was debated as long as 10 years ago and was rejected as unsustainable back then, even if the future brought no terrorist threat.
Describing the SDLP's proposals as "incredible and beyond belief", Mr Spence said the Federation was equally opposed to closing stations down.
Members of the public, he added, wanted to see police stations operating in their communities.
Mr Spence also claimed that the SDLP had refused on numerous occasions to meet with them and discuss issues raised in the document.
He said the Federation and its members suspected they had refused to do so because they "can't square the circle" with regard to many of these issues.
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy also slammed the plans claiming they were "unrealistic".
The Newry and Armagh assembly member said: "For SDLP representatives to say the community's need for proper policing can be better and best served by other means is beyond belief. The question is: are the SDLP living in the real world?
“We are living in times when other police forces across the world are having to protect their officers from rising attacks. More officers are now being armed. That is a fact of life and it reflects the times we live in.
“Firearms related crime on the mainland has increased by 20% in the past year, a terrorist threat still exists in Northern Ireland, albeit to a lesser degree than before, loyalist feuding continues and gang-related crime is also a major concern."
Mr Kennedy said that rather than addressing the serious issues of effective policing of the community, the SDLP only seemed concerned in positioning themselves alongside Sinn Fein with an election imminent.
The DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr also claimed that the SDLP's proposal was a "desperate" attempt to keep votes from Sinn Fein in an assembly election and that any such move would be an act of folly.
Alliance Assembly member Seamus Close also hit out at the demands describing them as "dangerous hype".
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
28 August 2001
SDLP delegation discuss policing with RUC Chief Constable
An SDLP delegation has met with RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to discuss policing issues facing the province’s new Police Service.
SDLP delegation discuss policing with RUC Chief Constable
An SDLP delegation has met with RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to discuss policing issues facing the province’s new Police Service.
05 March 2019
Former SDLP Leader To Stand For Fine Gael
Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan is set to run as an election candidate for Fine Gael in the upcoming European elections in May. It comes after the Stormont party recently announced its partnership with Fianna Fáil. The former Foyle MP will return as a Fine Gael candidate for Dublin. Mr Durkan led the SDLP from 2001 to 2010, succeeding John Hume.
Former SDLP Leader To Stand For Fine Gael
Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan is set to run as an election candidate for Fine Gael in the upcoming European elections in May. It comes after the Stormont party recently announced its partnership with Fianna Fáil. The former Foyle MP will return as a Fine Gael candidate for Dublin. Mr Durkan led the SDLP from 2001 to 2010, succeeding John Hume.
19 October 2015
SDLP's Dominic Bradley To Retire Next Year
SDLP Assembly Member Dominic Bradley MLA has announced that he is to retire from frontline politics at the next election. Mr Bradley has been an SDLP Assembly Member since 2003. He said he believed it was now time to pass on the baton to other SDLP representatives in the Constituency.
SDLP's Dominic Bradley To Retire Next Year
SDLP Assembly Member Dominic Bradley MLA has announced that he is to retire from frontline politics at the next election. Mr Bradley has been an SDLP Assembly Member since 2003. He said he believed it was now time to pass on the baton to other SDLP representatives in the Constituency.
02 October 2013
SDLP 'Regrets' IRA Play Park Naming
SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell has said he "regrets" the decision to reaffirm the naming of a children's playground in Newry, County Down, after an IRA hunger striker.
SDLP 'Regrets' IRA Play Park Naming
SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell has said he "regrets" the decision to reaffirm the naming of a children's playground in Newry, County Down, after an IRA hunger striker.
-
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.
