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

Policing Federation should never have disengaged with the Police Ombudsman

Published: 15 December, 2007

Published: 14 December, 2007

Sinn Féin Policing Spokesperson, South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey commenting on reports that the Policing Federation will re-engage with the Police Ombudsman has said that it should never have disengaged in the first place.

Mr Maskey said:

"The Police Ombudsman provides an essential accountability role within the policing structures. The Police Federation should never have disengaged with the Ombudsman's office in the first place.

"The Policing Federation has a leadership responsibility in this time of change. The announcement that the Policing Federation will now re-engage with the Police Ombudsman is welcome if it now signals a commitment to deal with the difficult issues that will no doubt lie ahead, not least the issue of collusion." ENDS