Press Releases - 2004

11 May 2004

Sinn Fein on Policing Board

Following today's meeting of Central Committee of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, the Federation has issued the following statement of clarification to members.

Given that the Policing Board for Northern Ireland is responsible for the provision of an effective and efficient police service for Northern Ireland the Police Federation presently engages at all levels with the members of the Board including its independent and political appointees.

It is not for the Federation to set the terms under which Sinn Fein would join the Board. It is for the political process to decide when the circumstances are appropriate and whether any pre-conditions such as full or partial decommissioning and disbandment are satisfied.

At that stage, and only after consulting its members and the wider police family, and in the interests of members, would the Federation engage with Sinn Fein representatives on the Policing Board.

This is at present a hypothetical prospect but the Federation is acutely aware that there are very real sensitivities given the sacrifice of so many of our colleagues murdered or injured in upholding the rule of law.