Police Federation NI chair stepping down after seven years

Mr Lindsay, who has been a police officer since joining the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC in 1987, has been outspoken on a number of issues in recent years, including the fall-out from the Bobby Storey funeral and government plans for dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.

Mr Lindsay will remain in office until the spring. His successor will be elected prior to his retirement.

In statement on Thursday announcing his intentions, Mr Lindsay notes he is the first PFNI chairman in its 51-year history “not to have to follow the coffins of colleagues murdered in the line of duty”.

He said: “I feel genuinely privileged to have served as a police officer since 1987 and subsequently as Chair of the PFNI. I am proud to represent officers from across our society and those who have joined through the many different routes into policing.

“Our society is more diverse than ever and as policing strives to be more representative of our communities, we all need to work hard to realise that it is not just as straight forward as our traditionally viewed binary society based on religious background.”

Mr Lindsay said he leaves “a legacy of an organisation that is well equipped to deal with new and emerging challenges”.

When the government revealed plans for a statute of limitations on Troubles-era crimes – widely regarded as an effective amnesty that would benefit former terrorists – Mr Lindsay said the police family did “not want a line drawn in the sand”.

Three years ago, he said: “We most assuredly do not want to see the brave actions of our officers equated with those who brought so much heartache and misery to innocent people, including the families of our 302 officers who were murdered and the thousands who were maimed and left with life-changing physical and psychological conditions.

“Those, and thousands of other officers, delivered the peace we enjoy today. They deserve better than this shambolic and disgraceful attempt to re-write history.”

In April last year, following a PPS decision not to prosecute anyone in connection with the mass gathering in west Belfast in connection with the funeral of former IRA leader Bobby Storey, Mr Lindsay said policing in Northern Ireland “has never been more toxic or politicised”.

He said: “I am surprised there was no decision to prosecute – whether that is through the actions of policing or through the actions of the PPS – but I’m not surprised at the politicisation of policing,” he said.

“I think that is one of the most disappointing things, 23 years on today from the Good Friday Agreement, policing has never been more politicised – it has never been more toxic in our society.”

In December 2021, the PFNI chair also complained about a lack of support from the Stormont Executive for the officers who were tasked with enforcing the Covid restrictions.

“I think this brings us into conflict with people who would normally be law-abiding citizens, I think it has not been a good exercise for policing at all,”

• Mr Lindsay’s statement in full:

“In my time as the Chair of the PFNI, we have faced many challenges. Sadly, officers have been injured in street disorder and terrorist attacks, so in a real sense, this path to a stable society remains a work-in-progress. In addition, officers have had their pay consistently eroded by a government that seems to have no concept of the valuable role they perform across our society.

“However, I am immeasurably grateful to be the first Chair of the organisation since it came into being 51 years ago, not to have to follow the coffins of colleagues murdered in the line of duty, and this speaks volumes for the journey we have all been on.

“Within the PFNI, we have undergone considerable restructuring to enable us to better respond to the needs of our rank-and-file members.

“We have articulated the case on pay, recruitment, resources, legacy, pensions and, when it was required, on shortcomings and failings within the PSNI, always with strength, integrity and conviction.

“I am particularly proud of the PFNI £1 million wellbeing programme, which we launched in 2016 to help officers enduring a range of psychological conditions that the PSNI was not resourced to handle. It gave practical help to hundreds of hard-pressed officers and assisted them to return to duty. Much more work needs to be done in addressing the mental health crisis in policing, which not only affects serving officers but also our retired colleagues long into retirement.

“We have been through some challenging times when, for three years, there was no Executive in place. Now, we face more political uncertainty and the imminent threat of catastrophic budget cuts to policing in Northern Ireland. Cuts which, if implemented, will take decades to repair and potentially undo much of the good work that has been carried out in the past 20 years in respect of neighbourhood policing.

“I feel genuinely privileged to have served as a police officer since 1987 and subsequently as Chair of the PFNI. I am proud to represent officers from across our society and those who have joined through the many different routes into policing.

“Our society is more diverse than ever and as policing strives to be more representative of our communities, we all need to work hard to realise that it is not just as straight forward as our traditionally viewed binary society based on religious background. The PFNI does some sterling work on behalf of our members and I believe I am leaving it in good fettle for my successor.

“I would like to pay tribute to the PFNI full-time officials and the hundreds of hard-working federation representatives I have been privileged to work alongside. I shall miss the camaraderie, friendship and commitment that is a big part of the job, but it is now time to hand over the reins of office and wish my colleagues well as they continue to give all PSNI officers strong leadership in the years ahead.”

READ: Policing has never been more politicised and toxic: PFNI chairman

READ: Covid brought police into conflict with normally law-abiding people: Police Federation

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