Police Co-operation Reaches New Levels

There has been a warm welcome from the Northern Ireland Policing Board for the formal signing of the Cross Border Policing Strategy between the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and An Garda Síochána.

Acting Chair, Brian Rea said: "The working relationship between the two policing services is excellent and today's formal agreement simply underlines the co-operation that exists and provides a framework for strengthening relations further.

"At the heart of these arrangements is keeping the public safe and improving the policing services provided.

"This work has been built on over a number of years and in recent times we have seen the operational benefits of this cooperation in dealing with the dissident threat, organised crime gangs, roads policing initiatives and the management of sex offenders. "As a Board we fully support this work and the benefits this delivers to policing and the community," he said.

He welcomed the news that, north and south of the border, future policing is expected to see "even closer alliances".

An Garda Síochána and the PSNI issued the new strategy with the support of the Department of Justice and Law Reform and the Department of Justice at Stormont.

In a statement this morning, a Gardaí spokesman said the strategy aims to build on existing practical and strategic co-operation, and identify a number of key strands of work where both Police Services feel that co-operation and supporting legislation can become even stronger.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said that in recent months, sharing information and intelligence and joint policing operations had led to many instances of terrorism, serious and organised crime and local crime being prevented.

"This has, undoubtedly saved lives, while ensuring those involved in such activity are identified and brought to justice."

Chief Constable Matt Baggott said he was "deeply indebted" to his colleagues in An Garda Síochána for their level of support and co-operation the PSNI receives on a daily basis.

"In the current climate it is even more pertinent for police officers to be able to utilise the experience, knowledge and, technological capabilities available across both jurisdictions, to the best possible effect.

"The Cross Border Policing Strategy seeks to build on the existing co-operation and enhance the policing capabilities of both Police Services.

"Even stronger alliances in relation to cross border investigations and operations, intelligence sharing and security right through to communication and information technology, training and emergency planning will benefit both organisations.

"Over the next three years, we will work to implement objectives linked to such aspects.”

Welcoming the strategy Minister for Justice and Law Reform Dermot Ahern thanked the Garda Commissioner and PSNI Chief Constable and their officers for the hard work that has gone into the new initiative, and for the hard work that underpins the North-South policing cooperation.

"Those of us who hail from the border area understand better than most the importance of ensuring that the border does not present a barrier to the wellbeing and quality of life of those who reside on either side," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford said that the co-operation that exists between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána is stronger than ever and that the report was a sign that both forces were determined not to rest on their laurels.

"The publication of this strategy reinforces their commitment to ensuring that policing cooperation on both sides of the border continues to operate at the highest level," he said.

(DW/BMcC)