South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Policing Composition - concerns at senior ranks

Published: 2 April, 2009

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA and spokesperson on Policing and Justice Alex Maskey, commenting on the publication of information on the composition of the PSNI, has voiced concern that there continues to be under representation of Catholics officers at senior ranks.

Alex Maskey MLA said,

"Our objective must be to ensure that we have a policing service that is representative, accountable and effective.

"Central to this is not just bringing the composition level up of Catholics, but also representation across all of the ranks. I am concerned that there continues to be under representation of Catholics officers at senior ranks.

"I am also concerned that we now have more officers based at PSNI Headquarters than at the time the Patten report was written. This is clearly a backward step and must be addressed in the current review.

"The Patten Report represents the baseline against which progress can be measured. If we are going to deliver the policing service that people deserve and demand then we need to look beyond its recommendations at more specific targets that can ensure that the far reaching change required within the PSNI continues to gather momentum." CRÍOCH