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17/12/2002
Decision to stand down police band slammed
The decision to stand down the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Band has been sharply criticised by a member of the Policing Board.
Board member, and assembly member for North Belfast, Fred Cobain said the decision taken by PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde to wind up the 40-piece police band was "illogical" and "could not be justified".
Chief Constable Hugh Orde said yesterday's decision, which would release the full-time officers back to policing duties across Northern Ireland, had been taken because of pressures on the service.
“To wind up such a popular band which has gained a worldwide reputation and been a marvellous public relations triumph for the police, is an incredible decision. People are totally baffled by it,” Mr Cobain said today.
“While I have consistently called for the appointment of more civilian staff in police stations to free up officers from clerical duties, I can see no logic in taking such drastic action,” he added.
The PSNI band will now stand down at the end of March next year.
Policing Board Chairman, Professor Desmond Rea, said: “Over the last year the Board has recognised that the single major issue impacting on the PSNI’s ability to deliver effective policing was the human resource issue.
“While many will be sad at the passing of the band, I believe that the Chief Constable’s practical decision today is in line with our shared goal of building an effective and efficient police service.”
Meanwhile Alliance assembly member Seamus Close said that he had written to Chief Constable Hugh Orde urging him to retain the band as it has done "tremendous work over the decades in Northern Ireland in bringing the community together".
He said: "It takes an awful long time to build up the experience, professionalism and the mix of youth that that band has had.
"I accept that the Chief Constable has got to take difficult decisions but this I honestly believe this is negative and retrograde. Policing is not just about walking the streets, policing is about the community - about bringing the community together, about respect for law and order."
Mr Close added that, although he agreed with getting more police on the streets, it was “a sad day for a band that has played hundreds of concerts for the whole community across Northern Ireland".
(AMcE)
Board member, and assembly member for North Belfast, Fred Cobain said the decision taken by PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde to wind up the 40-piece police band was "illogical" and "could not be justified".
Chief Constable Hugh Orde said yesterday's decision, which would release the full-time officers back to policing duties across Northern Ireland, had been taken because of pressures on the service.
“To wind up such a popular band which has gained a worldwide reputation and been a marvellous public relations triumph for the police, is an incredible decision. People are totally baffled by it,” Mr Cobain said today.
“While I have consistently called for the appointment of more civilian staff in police stations to free up officers from clerical duties, I can see no logic in taking such drastic action,” he added.
The PSNI band will now stand down at the end of March next year.
Policing Board Chairman, Professor Desmond Rea, said: “Over the last year the Board has recognised that the single major issue impacting on the PSNI’s ability to deliver effective policing was the human resource issue.
“While many will be sad at the passing of the band, I believe that the Chief Constable’s practical decision today is in line with our shared goal of building an effective and efficient police service.”
Meanwhile Alliance assembly member Seamus Close said that he had written to Chief Constable Hugh Orde urging him to retain the band as it has done "tremendous work over the decades in Northern Ireland in bringing the community together".
He said: "It takes an awful long time to build up the experience, professionalism and the mix of youth that that band has had.
"I accept that the Chief Constable has got to take difficult decisions but this I honestly believe this is negative and retrograde. Policing is not just about walking the streets, policing is about the community - about bringing the community together, about respect for law and order."
Mr Close added that, although he agreed with getting more police on the streets, it was “a sad day for a band that has played hundreds of concerts for the whole community across Northern Ireland".
(AMcE)
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