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25/01/2019
Policing Board Crucial For Public Confidence In PSNI- Alliance
Northern Ireland's newly reconstituted Policing Board has met for the first time, in a move welcomed by the Alliance Party as vital for community confidence in the PSNI.
The body has not met since the collapse of powersharing government at Stormont in January 2017 and the absence of ministerial guidance.
Secretary of State Karen Bradley brought forward legislation last autumn to enable the appointment of political representatives.
Ms Bradley confirmed the representatives in November, which consist of: Keith Buchanan, Joanne Bunting, Gary Middleton, Mervyn Storey from the DUP, Gerry Kelly, Linda Dillon, Philip McGuigan for Sinn Fein, John Blair for Alliance, Dolores Kelly for the SDLP and Alan Chambers for the UUP.
Following the first meeting, Mr Blair said the body is a crucial component of securing public support and confidence in the PSNI's accountability.
"Last year, Alliance's Next Steps Forward document outlined suggestions to get the political process moving again. Among them was the re-establishment of the Policing Board," the south Antrim MLA commented.
"It is vital we have a functioning board to oversee policing here. We are less than a week after an explosion was carried out in Derry-Londonderry by suspected dissidents and still face the scourge of continued paramilitarism in several other areas.
"A fully-functioning Policing Board is critical to confronting those threats, while increasing confidence across the community in the PSNI. I am honoured to be part of the new Board and doing my part in keeping them accountable."
(JG/CM)
The body has not met since the collapse of powersharing government at Stormont in January 2017 and the absence of ministerial guidance.
Secretary of State Karen Bradley brought forward legislation last autumn to enable the appointment of political representatives.
Ms Bradley confirmed the representatives in November, which consist of: Keith Buchanan, Joanne Bunting, Gary Middleton, Mervyn Storey from the DUP, Gerry Kelly, Linda Dillon, Philip McGuigan for Sinn Fein, John Blair for Alliance, Dolores Kelly for the SDLP and Alan Chambers for the UUP.
Following the first meeting, Mr Blair said the body is a crucial component of securing public support and confidence in the PSNI's accountability.
"Last year, Alliance's Next Steps Forward document outlined suggestions to get the political process moving again. Among them was the re-establishment of the Policing Board," the south Antrim MLA commented.
"It is vital we have a functioning board to oversee policing here. We are less than a week after an explosion was carried out in Derry-Londonderry by suspected dissidents and still face the scourge of continued paramilitarism in several other areas.
"A fully-functioning Policing Board is critical to confronting those threats, while increasing confidence across the community in the PSNI. I am honoured to be part of the new Board and doing my part in keeping them accountable."
(JG/CM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
