Menu
28/03/2011
North's 50-50 Recruitment Ends
The controversial 50-50 recruitment process for the North's police recruitment has ended after 10 years.
The process was introduced as part of the Patten policing reforms and was aimed at increasing the number of Catholic officers who made up only 8% of the police at the time.
Secretary of State Owen Paterson said that with almost 30% of officers in the PSNI now from a Catholic background, the practice could no longer be justified.
Nationalist politicians have viewed it as a success, but unionist politicians claimed it unfairly discriminated against Protestants.
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was glad to see the end of "institutionalised state-sponsored discrimination in the 21st century".
He commented: "I have met many young Protestants who applied to join the police, who went through all the exams and assessments and got into the merit pool and then were told 'I'm sorry you can't be a police officer because you are Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, Baptist, Methodist'.
"I have had young people in my office in tears because their future was being determined on a base sectarian decision," he said.
SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said he understood the issue had been difficult for unionists, but that there was "every justification for continuing the policy".
The decision to end 50/50 recruitment to the PSNI has also been criticised by South Belfast Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey. Mr Maskey's office issued a statement which commented: "No police service, anywhere in the world, cannot simply expect the total support of the community if it is not fully representative of that community.
" Clearly progress has been made in relation to policing but that has been slow and painstaking; collectively we still have some way to travel yet."
(JG)
The process was introduced as part of the Patten policing reforms and was aimed at increasing the number of Catholic officers who made up only 8% of the police at the time.
Secretary of State Owen Paterson said that with almost 30% of officers in the PSNI now from a Catholic background, the practice could no longer be justified.
Nationalist politicians have viewed it as a success, but unionist politicians claimed it unfairly discriminated against Protestants.
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was glad to see the end of "institutionalised state-sponsored discrimination in the 21st century".
He commented: "I have met many young Protestants who applied to join the police, who went through all the exams and assessments and got into the merit pool and then were told 'I'm sorry you can't be a police officer because you are Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, Baptist, Methodist'.
"I have had young people in my office in tears because their future was being determined on a base sectarian decision," he said.
SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said he understood the issue had been difficult for unionists, but that there was "every justification for continuing the policy".
The decision to end 50/50 recruitment to the PSNI has also been criticised by South Belfast Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey. Mr Maskey's office issued a statement which commented: "No police service, anywhere in the world, cannot simply expect the total support of the community if it is not fully representative of that community.
" Clearly progress has been made in relation to policing but that has been slow and painstaking; collectively we still have some way to travel yet."
(JG)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 September 2009
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
16 January 2019
Health Minister Urged To Make Meningitis B Vaccine More Affordable
The Labour Party's spokesperson for health has repeated his calls for the State to reduce the cost of Meningitis B vaccines, following the 12th confirmed case of the condition since Christmas Eve.
Health Minister Urged To Make Meningitis B Vaccine More Affordable
The Labour Party's spokesperson for health has repeated his calls for the State to reduce the cost of Meningitis B vaccines, following the 12th confirmed case of the condition since Christmas Eve.
01 December 2011
Report Probes Growing Up In Ireland
The Dáil has been looking at what it means to grow up in modern day Ireland. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald today launched the first findings from Growing up in Ireland - the Infant Cohort at 3 Years involving 11,100 three-year-olds and their parents.
Report Probes Growing Up In Ireland
The Dáil has been looking at what it means to grow up in modern day Ireland. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald today launched the first findings from Growing up in Ireland - the Infant Cohort at 3 Years involving 11,100 three-year-olds and their parents.
18 December 2008
Three Held After Meath Explosives Find
It has been revealed that a quantity of explosives and detonators were discovered in a car stopped in Co Meath. The seizure followed an operation carried out by gardaí last night, Both uniform and detective police officers from Navan and Kells were responsible for stopping a car near Kells.
Three Held After Meath Explosives Find
It has been revealed that a quantity of explosives and detonators were discovered in a car stopped in Co Meath. The seizure followed an operation carried out by gardaí last night, Both uniform and detective police officers from Navan and Kells were responsible for stopping a car near Kells.
03 March 2011
Other News In Briefs
Derry Police 'Lured' into Ambush Politicians have united in condemning what an Alliance Foyle representative today described as attempted murder when shots were fired at police officers in Londonderry on Wednesday night.
Other News In Briefs
Derry Police 'Lured' into Ambush Politicians have united in condemning what an Alliance Foyle representative today described as attempted murder when shots were fired at police officers in Londonderry on Wednesday night.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered sleet and snow showers will turn increasingly heavy and more frequent in the afternoon across the north. Largely dry with sunny spells in the south, but showers spreading here towards the end of the day. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
