O'LOAN'S OFFICE UNDER FIRE
O'Loan's office under fire.
Nine out of ten police officers have doubts over impartiality
JUST one in ten police officers in Northern Ireland believe Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan acts impartially, it has been revealed.
A new survey to be published later this month also discloses high levels of dissatisfaction in her work among Chief Constable Hugh Orde's rank and file.
In another finding, a majority of officers questioned said they would like to be able to complain to her about their colleagues.
With the Ombudsman set up to probe allegations made by the public that would require changes to the legislation.
But some policing representatives described the poll as a scathing assessment which proved the force's trust in her fairness has been shattered.
Hardline unionists, angered that the poll was carried out 12 months ago but is yet to be published, also called on the authorities to replace her.
Sammy Wilson, a DUP member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "Clearly the police have no confidence in her office.
"The Government should be looking at establishing a three-person panel to restore belief in the Ombudsman's office."
Mrs O'Loan was brought in four years ago to head up a new police complaints system as part of the Patten recommendations for
changes to the force.
Since her appointment she has endured a tense relationship with senior officers who have, at times, found her criticisms hard to stomach.
In her most high profile probe, she damned the investigation into the 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity which killed 29 people and accused former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan of a failure of leadership.
Nearly 10,000 policemen and women were surveyed, in the poll carried out for her office by the Northern Ireland Research Agency with 40% responding.
Officers were asked if Mrs O'Loan's investigators were impartial, but only 13% agreed while 44% disagreed.
In another part it is understood 43% of those questioned agreed that officers should be allowed to complain about their colleagues.
Both the Ombudsman's office and the Northern Ireland Police Federation, which represents officers up to the rank of chief inspector accepted there were lessons to be learned.
A spokesman for Mrs O'Loan said: "There are findings in the survey which are encouraging and very positive and there are others which are less so. I know the Police Federation feels the same.
He also hit out at the leaking of a small part of the document.
"That goes against the best interest of the Police Ombudsman's Office and police officers. When the public get the complete findings from the survey they will be much better informed."
The Federation agreed both sides would be attempting to take lessons from the results.
"There is a need for the Ombudsman's office to reach into the wider police organisation, and for the organisation to be receptive of what the Ombudsman is trying to do," he said.
Nine out of ten police officers have doubts over impartiality
JUST one in ten police officers in Northern Ireland believe Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan acts impartially, it has been revealed.
A new survey to be published later this month also discloses high levels of dissatisfaction in her work among Chief Constable Hugh Orde's rank and file.
In another finding, a majority of officers questioned said they would like to be able to complain to her about their colleagues.
With the Ombudsman set up to probe allegations made by the public that would require changes to the legislation.
But some policing representatives described the poll as a scathing assessment which proved the force's trust in her fairness has been shattered.
Hardline unionists, angered that the poll was carried out 12 months ago but is yet to be published, also called on the authorities to replace her.
Sammy Wilson, a DUP member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "Clearly the police have no confidence in her office.
"The Government should be looking at establishing a three-person panel to restore belief in the Ombudsman's office."
Mrs O'Loan was brought in four years ago to head up a new police complaints system as part of the Patten recommendations for
changes to the force.
Since her appointment she has endured a tense relationship with senior officers who have, at times, found her criticisms hard to stomach.
In her most high profile probe, she damned the investigation into the 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity which killed 29 people and accused former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan of a failure of leadership.
Nearly 10,000 policemen and women were surveyed, in the poll carried out for her office by the Northern Ireland Research Agency with 40% responding.
Officers were asked if Mrs O'Loan's investigators were impartial, but only 13% agreed while 44% disagreed.
In another part it is understood 43% of those questioned agreed that officers should be allowed to complain about their colleagues.
Both the Ombudsman's office and the Northern Ireland Police Federation, which represents officers up to the rank of chief inspector accepted there were lessons to be learned.
A spokesman for Mrs O'Loan said: "There are findings in the survey which are encouraging and very positive and there are others which are less so. I know the Police Federation feels the same.
He also hit out at the leaking of a small part of the document.
"That goes against the best interest of the Police Ombudsman's Office and police officers. When the public get the complete findings from the survey they will be much better informed."
The Federation agreed both sides would be attempting to take lessons from the results.
"There is a need for the Ombudsman's office to reach into the wider police organisation, and for the organisation to be receptive of what the Ombudsman is trying to do," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0917
Published Date: 03-Feb-04
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