OMAGH BORN DETECTIVE QUITS OVER RUC REFORM
Omagh born detective quits over RUC reform
EXCLUSIVE
By Alan Murray
THE detective heading the hunt for the Omagh bombers is quitting the RUC in disgust over controversial changes to the force.
Detective Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson says the RUC's sterling service is being "subverted" by the radical reforms proposed in the Patten Report.
The veteran cop has confirmed he will leave the RUC in March - as one of the first wave of officers to depart under the severance scheme introduced by the government.
He told SUNDAY LIFE: "The sterling service of the past and present members of the RUC is being subverted by Patten and as a matter of principle I will not be serving under his new scheme of things."
DCS Anderson, 54, - the deputy Assistant Chief Constable of the RUC's crime branch - said he would make no further public comment at this time on his departure from the force he joined 33 years ago.
He is among 50 senior officers - including some of the RUC's most experienced detectives - who have decided to quit the demoralised force before a new policing era is introduced late next year.
Many other departing officers are privately expressing anger over the force's treatment by the government.
With the political situation still volatile and terror groups on both sides still strong, they question how the new Police Service of Northern Ireland will cope with the reduced manpower envisaged by Patten.
The plans also include a 19 strong Police Board with some representatives nominated by local political parties.
Many experienced RUC officers fear this will lead to political restrictions being imposed on operational matters in nationalist areas.
Within the RUC there is also concern over the departure of so many senior detectives and Special Branch officers next year.
One senior officer, who is staying on for the new police service, said:
"The departures will inflict a bigger blow in the fight against terrorist crime than the loss of many intelligence officers in the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre'.
EXCLUSIVE
By Alan Murray
THE detective heading the hunt for the Omagh bombers is quitting the RUC in disgust over controversial changes to the force.
Detective Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson says the RUC's sterling service is being "subverted" by the radical reforms proposed in the Patten Report.
The veteran cop has confirmed he will leave the RUC in March - as one of the first wave of officers to depart under the severance scheme introduced by the government.
He told SUNDAY LIFE: "The sterling service of the past and present members of the RUC is being subverted by Patten and as a matter of principle I will not be serving under his new scheme of things."
DCS Anderson, 54, - the deputy Assistant Chief Constable of the RUC's crime branch - said he would make no further public comment at this time on his departure from the force he joined 33 years ago.
He is among 50 senior officers - including some of the RUC's most experienced detectives - who have decided to quit the demoralised force before a new policing era is introduced late next year.
Many other departing officers are privately expressing anger over the force's treatment by the government.
With the political situation still volatile and terror groups on both sides still strong, they question how the new Police Service of Northern Ireland will cope with the reduced manpower envisaged by Patten.
The plans also include a 19 strong Police Board with some representatives nominated by local political parties.
Many experienced RUC officers fear this will lead to political restrictions being imposed on operational matters in nationalist areas.
Within the RUC there is also concern over the departure of so many senior detectives and Special Branch officers next year.
One senior officer, who is staying on for the new police service, said:
"The departures will inflict a bigger blow in the fight against terrorist crime than the loss of many intelligence officers in the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre'.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/112
Published Date: 26-Nov-00
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