Menu
02/09/2002
Police will not be a political pawn says Orde
The new Chief Constable of the PSNI has started his first day in what he has described as "the most challenging policing environment in the world," and warned politicians that he will not allow the police to be a pawn in the wider political scene.
Mr Orde, who met with the Policing Board this morning, also warned that the consequences of a failure in policing could have serious repercussions for the peace process as a whole.
"If we get policing wrong here our impact on the peace process could be catastrophic," he said. "But I won't play games, I won't be the fall guy for the political big picture. My focus is on policing. If I take my eye off that ball, I won't be delivering what the government or anyone else wants."
He added: "Everyone is looking at me, politicians, government, the oversight commissioner, the parades commission, pressure groups. Everyone is looking in, like the Met after [Stephen] Lawrence, and we need to get the answers before they start telling us."
However, Mr Orde concedes that his involvement in the Stevens Inquiry may not necessarily endear him to some serving officers.
"I might meet with problems because of my involvement with the Stevens Inquiry – but I think there are a lot of people chomping at the bit to move on."
The Steven's Inquiry, known as Steven's 3, was set up to investigate allegations of collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989. It is alleged that Special Branch was involved in the targeting of Mr Finucane and a Special Branch informant has subsequently told BBC Panorama programme that he was one of the gunmen who carried out the murder.
The conclusions of that inquiry are expected to be published in the next few months.
Mr Orde did however stress that he would work to implement Patten and create the "new world" of Northern Ireland policing.
He said: "If people don’t want to play in the new world, don’t want to engage and look outward, that is not a reflection on me.
“I think there will be some resistance but I think a lot of people are very keen to engage in Patten and move on. Although there will be pockets of resistance this is not a force that is resisting change across the board – that is a false impression of what the service is about," he said.
Elsewhere, the Chairman of the Policing Board has welcomed Bob McCann as the new Chief Executive to the board.
Mr McCann has previously worked for NIE and the Viridian Group and most recently has been a Senior Finance Officer in the Northern Ireland Office.
(GMcG)
Mr Orde, who met with the Policing Board this morning, also warned that the consequences of a failure in policing could have serious repercussions for the peace process as a whole.
"If we get policing wrong here our impact on the peace process could be catastrophic," he said. "But I won't play games, I won't be the fall guy for the political big picture. My focus is on policing. If I take my eye off that ball, I won't be delivering what the government or anyone else wants."
He added: "Everyone is looking at me, politicians, government, the oversight commissioner, the parades commission, pressure groups. Everyone is looking in, like the Met after [Stephen] Lawrence, and we need to get the answers before they start telling us."
However, Mr Orde concedes that his involvement in the Stevens Inquiry may not necessarily endear him to some serving officers.
"I might meet with problems because of my involvement with the Stevens Inquiry – but I think there are a lot of people chomping at the bit to move on."
The Steven's Inquiry, known as Steven's 3, was set up to investigate allegations of collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989. It is alleged that Special Branch was involved in the targeting of Mr Finucane and a Special Branch informant has subsequently told BBC Panorama programme that he was one of the gunmen who carried out the murder.
The conclusions of that inquiry are expected to be published in the next few months.
Mr Orde did however stress that he would work to implement Patten and create the "new world" of Northern Ireland policing.
He said: "If people don’t want to play in the new world, don’t want to engage and look outward, that is not a reflection on me.
“I think there will be some resistance but I think a lot of people are very keen to engage in Patten and move on. Although there will be pockets of resistance this is not a force that is resisting change across the board – that is a false impression of what the service is about," he said.
Elsewhere, the Chairman of the Policing Board has welcomed Bob McCann as the new Chief Executive to the board.
Mr McCann has previously worked for NIE and the Viridian Group and most recently has been a Senior Finance Officer in the Northern Ireland Office.
(GMcG)
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.
17 December 2007
Community Policing In Focus
A newly introduced policing strategy that has just been rolled out across the whole of east Antrim may already be paying dividends. A local policing liaison group, covering the Glengormley area, has just been told of reductions in levels of reported anti social behaviour.
Community Policing In Focus
A newly introduced policing strategy that has just been rolled out across the whole of east Antrim may already be paying dividends. A local policing liaison group, covering the Glengormley area, has just been told of reductions in levels of reported anti social behaviour.
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.
20 November 2003
DPPs tour PSNI Training College
The Police Service College opened its doors to members of District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) today to showcase the vital police work carried out by a number of police departments.
DPPs tour PSNI Training College
The Police Service College opened its doors to members of District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) today to showcase the vital police work carried out by a number of police departments.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
