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09/12/2002
Chief Constable admits 'civilianisation failure'
The cross-community civilianisation programme for clerical and other non-policing posts within the Police Service of Northern Ireland has run into problems.
The poor response from Catholics to the recruitment drive has left a shortfall, as only 10% of applicants are considered to from the Catholic community.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde admitted that the programme designed to free up trained police officers from desk duties in order to carry out policing duties had been stilted by the need to adhere strictly to the 50:50 religious employment rules.
Mr Orde said that of the 250 applicants for the jobs only 26 of those successful had been from the Catholic community. Under existing rules this means that only a total of 52 people can be recruited, and Mr Orde said that some police stations may have to be closed in an effort to get more officers out on the beat. The Chief Constable indicated that with 190 different locations there were too many police properties for the province's population of 1.5 million, and that many were in a poor state of repair.
The Chief Constable, with just 100 days under his belt, sought to reassure people that everything possible would be done to counter what he described as the "high" threat of attacks from dissident paramilitary groups.
He was also concerned that there was no police college, which he said was a "disgrace".
(SP)
The poor response from Catholics to the recruitment drive has left a shortfall, as only 10% of applicants are considered to from the Catholic community.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde admitted that the programme designed to free up trained police officers from desk duties in order to carry out policing duties had been stilted by the need to adhere strictly to the 50:50 religious employment rules.
Mr Orde said that of the 250 applicants for the jobs only 26 of those successful had been from the Catholic community. Under existing rules this means that only a total of 52 people can be recruited, and Mr Orde said that some police stations may have to be closed in an effort to get more officers out on the beat. The Chief Constable indicated that with 190 different locations there were too many police properties for the province's population of 1.5 million, and that many were in a poor state of repair.
The Chief Constable, with just 100 days under his belt, sought to reassure people that everything possible would be done to counter what he described as the "high" threat of attacks from dissident paramilitary groups.
He was also concerned that there was no police college, which he said was a "disgrace".
(SP)
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21 February 2005
Closer links forged in cross-border crime fight
The PSNI and An Garda Síochána today signed joint protocols aimed at further enhancing the close working relationship enjoyed by the two police forces. The signing is being seen as significant given the ongoing investigations into alleged IRA money laundering in the south and the recent Northern Bank heist in Belfast.
Closer links forged in cross-border crime fight
The PSNI and An Garda Síochána today signed joint protocols aimed at further enhancing the close working relationship enjoyed by the two police forces. The signing is being seen as significant given the ongoing investigations into alleged IRA money laundering in the south and the recent Northern Bank heist in Belfast.
02 April 2008
Senior Catholic Police Officer To Step Down
Northern Ireland's most senior Catholic police officer is to step down from his post as Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, it has been revealed. Peter Sheridan, who started his career as a cadet in the RUC over 30 years ago, will join the cross-border group Co-operation Ireland. He will take up the post in September.
Senior Catholic Police Officer To Step Down
Northern Ireland's most senior Catholic police officer is to step down from his post as Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, it has been revealed. Peter Sheridan, who started his career as a cadet in the RUC over 30 years ago, will join the cross-border group Co-operation Ireland. He will take up the post in September.
24 January 2007
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
06 January 2003
Proposals to arm officers with CS spray considered
Unionists have reacted favourably to proposals currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in which PSNI officers will be equipped with CS spray to control public order situations. DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said he had raised the issue at a board meeting in November and backed the move as a "sensible measure".
Proposals to arm officers with CS spray considered
Unionists have reacted favourably to proposals currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in which PSNI officers will be equipped with CS spray to control public order situations. DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said he had raised the issue at a board meeting in November and backed the move as a "sensible measure".
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