Backing policing a high-risk move
Yesterday's decision by the SDLP to participate in Northern Ireland's Policing Board and urge young Catholics to join the new service is a historic step for Northern nationalism
by Jim Cusack
From The Irish Times - 21st August 2001
They point out that Patten did not recommend the banning of plastic bullets: "On the board we will have full access to the research, which will help us to make the case for prohibition of these weapons."
Under the previous legislation the British government attempted to give the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State the power to block inquiries on "efficiency and effectiveness; the administration of justice; repetitiousness and vexatiousness; ongoing investigations by the police and other authorities; or because an inquiry would serve no useful purpose".
The SDLP was able to announce yesterday: "These sweeping exemptions would have meant that the Policing Board could only have conducted inquiries at the grace and favour of the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State. Now, all of these exemptions have been abolished".
The new proposals also reduce the size of the majority needed for the 19-member board to order an inquiry from 12 to 10.
The SDLP pointed out that the Patten report was strong in its recommendations on the inclusion of human rights safeguards, stating that the fundamental purpose of policing should be "the protection and vindication of the human rights of all".
The British government's original plans did not reflect this strong commitment to human rights, the SDLP said. Now, "the Police Board - not the Chief Constable - will have the final say on the training, education and development strategy for the new police service".
The SDLP was also able to promise that secondments of gardai to the new police service in specialist areas "will begin forthwith" in order to make up a shortfall in Catholics that will continue even with 50/50 recruitment.There will also be the formal treaty to ensure that gardai who are seconded should suffer no financial detriment; that gardai will be encouraged to work in the North and the experience obtained will be fully recognised; the new police service will engage in outreach with the Garda; secondments should be possible at all levels above inspector; qualifications and experience of gardai will be fully recognised.
The other contentious issue was the reform of the RUC Special Branch. "The SDLP shares Patten's view that Special Branch is a 'force within a force'. In line with Patten, police officers are not to spend more than five to seven years in Special Branch. This is critical to end the 'force within a force'."
"Originally, the British government only committed itself to review the timing for the implementation of Patten's crucial recommendations on the Special Branch. But now, in line with Patten, the Special Branch is already under one Assistant Chief Constable. It has already been reduced by 10 per cent and it is to be reduced to 50 per cent in September, with amalgamation of support units into the wider police service."Jim Cusack is Security Editor of The Irish Times |
