POLICE BOARD MAKES HISTORIC MOVE
Police Board makes historic move
LAST Thursday's controversial meeting of the Policing Board for Northern Ireland ended with agreement on some of the most pertinent issues of the Ombudsman's Report. After 3 days of intensive talks the 19-strong board reached an agreement on the way forward following Nuala O'Loan's critical report into the RUC's handling of the inquiry.
DECISION
After lengthy discussions, the board announced late on Thursday night that unanimous agreement had been reached on a series of conclusions,
*a senior UK police officer - of Deputy Chief Constable or Assistant Chief Constable rank - be appointed by the board in an overseeing 'quality assurance' role but without operational control.
*the PSNI senior investigating officer to retain operational control but the senior Merseyside officer being brought in by PSNI to assist the inquiry to have equal status to him.
*Inspector of Constabulary to conduct a focused review of Special Branch, looking into its procedures for managing and sharing intelligence information.
*the same UK-wide body to conduct a separate and full review of terrorist linked murder inquiries 'with a view to reporting on structure, resources, strategies, policies, practices and processes'.
*a 'review mechanism' for the work of the Police Ombudsman should also be created.
*there was agreement that the Omagh bombing could not have been prevented on the basis of the information available to police.
Speaking after the meeting, chairman, Professor Desmond Rea said "The board acknowledges that lessons have been learned on all sides in relation to this process, but believes that these recommendations will serve to enhance the true professionalism and service of all officers within the Police Service of Northern Ireland".
Ronnie Flanagan said the statement issued by the board represented a realistic way ahead while Nuala O'Loan described it as a 'genuine attempt to move the investigation forward'.
LAST Thursday's controversial meeting of the Policing Board for Northern Ireland ended with agreement on some of the most pertinent issues of the Ombudsman's Report. After 3 days of intensive talks the 19-strong board reached an agreement on the way forward following Nuala O'Loan's critical report into the RUC's handling of the inquiry.
DECISION
After lengthy discussions, the board announced late on Thursday night that unanimous agreement had been reached on a series of conclusions,
*a senior UK police officer - of Deputy Chief Constable or Assistant Chief Constable rank - be appointed by the board in an overseeing 'quality assurance' role but without operational control.
*the PSNI senior investigating officer to retain operational control but the senior Merseyside officer being brought in by PSNI to assist the inquiry to have equal status to him.
*Inspector of Constabulary to conduct a focused review of Special Branch, looking into its procedures for managing and sharing intelligence information.
*the same UK-wide body to conduct a separate and full review of terrorist linked murder inquiries 'with a view to reporting on structure, resources, strategies, policies, practices and processes'.
*a 'review mechanism' for the work of the Police Ombudsman should also be created.
*there was agreement that the Omagh bombing could not have been prevented on the basis of the information available to police.
Speaking after the meeting, chairman, Professor Desmond Rea said "The board acknowledges that lessons have been learned on all sides in relation to this process, but believes that these recommendations will serve to enhance the true professionalism and service of all officers within the Police Service of Northern Ireland".
Ronnie Flanagan said the statement issued by the board represented a realistic way ahead while Nuala O'Loan described it as a 'genuine attempt to move the investigation forward'.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0966
Published Date: 14-Feb-02
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