PSNI Chief Constable Apologises Over 'Offensive' Tweet

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has apologised for any offence after posting a comment on social media surrounding pressures police officers are facing.

On Twitter Mr Hamilton said that officers should "dry your eyes, do the job or move on".

On Sunday, 21 August, the Chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mark Lindsay called on Mr Hamiltion to withdraw the "offensive comments".

Mr Lindsay said: "We have Officers grappling with psychological conditions because of the appalling things they have had to experience and witness. To cap it all, we have a Chief Constable who tells the men and women he commands that if they don’t like it, they can leave and get another job.

"Mr Hamilton has got this badly wrong. To say to Officers to ‘dry your eye, do the job or move on’ amounts to great insult and a stunning misjudgement. He should apologise immediately for this outburst, withdraw the offensive comments and remove the tweet from his account.

"The job is tough enough without the Chief Constable showing such indifference. Better if he empathised more with the men and women who deliver policing at the 'coalface'. He has a chance to put this right. He should take that opportunity without delay."

Mr Hamilton said: "I have already spoken to the Chair of the Police Federation and will be happy to discuss these issues over the coming days with the respective Staff Associations.

"Policing is a complex and challenging profession. I am hugely proud of the work my officers and staff do every day in serving the public and I want to support and encourage these great people.  My message last night would not have conveyed that support and for that I am sorry."

(CD)