Police Federation hit back at Sinn Fein - saying the party has not met them to address policing concerns
The body representing rank and file police officers in Northern Ireland has hit out at Sinn Fein for not taking the opportunity to meet with it to discuss “any matters” related to policing.
The Police Federation (PFNI) was responding to a public call by the republican party for it to “listen to those from a Catholic, Nationalist and Republican background” and other “under-represented sections of our communities”.
The DUP leader says the PFNI revelation points to a wider issue – that Sinn Fein’s support for policing “has too often been half-hearted”.
Responding to a Sinn Fein post on social media platform X, the Police Federation said: “We are listening when the time is taken to speak with us. We have had many meetings and discussions with a plethora of political, religious and civic representatives from right across our communities and remain committed to ongoing engagement with all of them.
“Despite taking up his post some four years ago, unfortunately no one individually or corporately from Sinn Fein have requested or taken the opportunity to formally meet privately with our Chair to discuss this issue or indeed any matters”.
North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein’s representative on the Policing Board, had singled out PFNI Chair Liam Kelly for criticism.
“Liam Kelly and the PSNI need to listen to people from a Catholic, Nationalist and Republican background, and all under-represented sections of our society, to identify the barriers preventing them from joining. This includes minority communities and women, given the recent significant concerns, reports and investigations around police culture and behaviours”, he said.
Gavin Robinson told the News Letter: “It speaks volumes that Sinn Fein lecture others about engagement while admitting they have never once formally met with the Chair of the Police Federation in four years. Our DUP team would have regular engagement with the Federation.
“This also points to a much wider issue. Sinn Fein’s support for policing has too often been half-hearted. It took them almost 20 years to endorse a police recruitment campaign or attend a PSNI passing out parade. Even today, their voices are often slow to defend officers when they come under attack.
“At a time when morale in policing is under immense pressure, political leaders should be building relationships with those who put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe.
“The Police Federation represents rank and file officers from every background and every community in Northern Ireland. Respectful engagement with them should be the minimum expected of any party claiming to support policing and the rule of law”.