19/11/2008
Historic Enquiry Team Reprieved
In a week that NI policing is sharply in focus - as agreement is reached on devolving justice and policing powers - it has emerged that the police team re-examining thousands of killings during the Troubles has been thrown a last minute financial lifeline.
It is understood the Government will hand over up to £8 million to bail out the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) and ensure investigations continue until 2010.
The HET, investigating more than 3,200 deaths, admitted last week it was in severe financial difficulties.
Investigating detectives were facing the prospect of one month's notice before operations were cut back.
All the 180-strong squad were expecting to be hit after Government funding was withdrawn, despite pleas to the Northern Ireland Office to reconsider.
However, yesterday it emerged a £1.5 million shortfall would be covered until the HET's new budget starts in April.
It is believed more than £5.5 million will also be handed over to carry the PSNI's cold case unit to the start of the financial year in 2010.
It was unclear if the boost was a major factor in the DUP and Sinn Fein brokering a deal yesterday to devolve policing and justice powers from Westminster.
A PSNI spokesman said: "Following intensive discussions we are confident that we can secure sufficient funds to allow the work of HET to continue in this financial year."
The HET was created in 2005 by PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde with the aim of providing answers or some resolution for bereaved families.
It was given a budget of £34 million over six years and was originally set up to run for only six years but it was soon clear it would take longer for detectives to complete the caseload.
Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jnr said it was a momentous breakthrough for victims searching for justice over unsolved murders.
He added: "On the day we are able to make significant progress on resolving the outstanding progress on devolving policing and justice at Stormont it is great we have another breakthrough for funding."
(BMcC)
It is understood the Government will hand over up to £8 million to bail out the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) and ensure investigations continue until 2010.
The HET, investigating more than 3,200 deaths, admitted last week it was in severe financial difficulties.
Investigating detectives were facing the prospect of one month's notice before operations were cut back.
All the 180-strong squad were expecting to be hit after Government funding was withdrawn, despite pleas to the Northern Ireland Office to reconsider.
However, yesterday it emerged a £1.5 million shortfall would be covered until the HET's new budget starts in April.
It is believed more than £5.5 million will also be handed over to carry the PSNI's cold case unit to the start of the financial year in 2010.
It was unclear if the boost was a major factor in the DUP and Sinn Fein brokering a deal yesterday to devolve policing and justice powers from Westminster.
A PSNI spokesman said: "Following intensive discussions we are confident that we can secure sufficient funds to allow the work of HET to continue in this financial year."
The HET was created in 2005 by PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde with the aim of providing answers or some resolution for bereaved families.
It was given a budget of £34 million over six years and was originally set up to run for only six years but it was soon clear it would take longer for detectives to complete the caseload.
Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jnr said it was a momentous breakthrough for victims searching for justice over unsolved murders.
He added: "On the day we are able to make significant progress on resolving the outstanding progress on devolving policing and justice at Stormont it is great we have another breakthrough for funding."
(BMcC)
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17 December 2007
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20 November 2007
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
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29 March 2004
Assistant Chief Constable praises DPP members
The PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner has praised the 'courage and commitment' of members of Northern Ireland's District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) whose work has, in many cases, been carried out in the face of intimidation and threats.
Assistant Chief Constable praises DPP members
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26 March 2004
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.