12/03/2004
Recruitment policy will lead to 'second-class' stigma
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has said the 50:50 recruitment policy for the PSNI will build-up resentment within the police force and lead to some officers being labelled with the stigma of "second-class".
Speaking in the House of Commons during the second reading of the Justice (NI) Bill, Mr Trimble took the opportunity to respond to several comments made throughout the debate regarding the PSNI's 50:50 recruitment procedure.
He said: "You must bear it in mind that with the legalised discrimination that is currently in place, individuals are left with a strong sense of injustice.
"It is not as if we are talking about a handful of people whose interests can be overlooked for the greater public good - although I would not advance that principle in any event - because the number of those who have suffered a personal injustice is getting into four figures, and that builds up a significant body of resentment in the community and has other ill effects that you should also bear in mind. It means that those who benefit from this injustice come into the service with a stigma that will be with them all their days, of having got there through special assistance and being in some respect second-class."
The Upper Bann MP added: "Many of those people are not second-class, but because of the legislation that has [been] promoted, people whose interests it would wish to advance will carry that stigma throughout their career. Those who continue to defend this approach should bear in mind not only the injustice done to those who fail to be appointed but the stigma that they impose on those who gain appointment through these means, especially as it is all unnecessary given the existing structures."
The Policing board are currently advertising for the post of Assistant Chief Constable.
(SP)
Speaking in the House of Commons during the second reading of the Justice (NI) Bill, Mr Trimble took the opportunity to respond to several comments made throughout the debate regarding the PSNI's 50:50 recruitment procedure.
He said: "You must bear it in mind that with the legalised discrimination that is currently in place, individuals are left with a strong sense of injustice.
"It is not as if we are talking about a handful of people whose interests can be overlooked for the greater public good - although I would not advance that principle in any event - because the number of those who have suffered a personal injustice is getting into four figures, and that builds up a significant body of resentment in the community and has other ill effects that you should also bear in mind. It means that those who benefit from this injustice come into the service with a stigma that will be with them all their days, of having got there through special assistance and being in some respect second-class."
The Upper Bann MP added: "Many of those people are not second-class, but because of the legislation that has [been] promoted, people whose interests it would wish to advance will carry that stigma throughout their career. Those who continue to defend this approach should bear in mind not only the injustice done to those who fail to be appointed but the stigma that they impose on those who gain appointment through these means, especially as it is all unnecessary given the existing structures."
The Policing board are currently advertising for the post of Assistant Chief Constable.
(SP)
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