HAVE WE ACHIEVED PATTEN OR NOT?
Have we achieved Patten or not?
After reading a recent statement by an SDLP representative in your paper and listening to SDLP party leader Mark Durkan, I find that SDLP members are saying contradictory things about the new start to policing we are told is in progress.
The local SDLP representatives have constantly told us they have achieved Patten. The SDLP locally, has claimed on a number of occasions that Patten has been delivered. Yet on Goof Friday morning, Mark Durkan claimed that going on to the Policing Board was the way to get Patten.
Then, he went on and pointed out that the anti-Patten camp actual held the majority of votes on the board.
Therefore, despite claims that Patten has been delivered, it clearly has not.
But having jumped earlier, the SDLP now insists that the way to get Patten is to be on the Policing Board. This is in spite of earlier SDLP claims that Patten was the bottom line.
From this position if one reviews Policing Board we will be able to judge if Patten is being implemented or even a new start to policing is on the way.
1) Patten recommends a new oath for all PSNI, only new recruits will take a new oath.
2) Patten recommends "a new badge entirely free from any association with either the British or Irish state and the Patten commission noted that the Assembly was able; to adopt a crest free from such symbols. The Policing Board used the old symbols of the RUC.
3) In response to the Ombudsman's investigation into the Omagh bomb the Policing Board rejected the core recommendations and refused to appoint a new outside officer to take over the investigation. Indeed the board went further and called for a review of the ombudsman's office, despite the fact that the office had been up and running for a short period.
4) The powers of the Policing Board was seen to be powerless when the Secretary of State using the "national security" clause when Castlereagh was "broken-into" The board is unable, powerless to make anyone accountability for breaking into their own stations.
5) The PSNI have required enough plastic bullets in its arsenal for the next 20 years despite Patten's recommendations that plastic bullets be
discontinued as soon as possible.
6) The PSNI are busy smashing in to republican home, arresting people with no due cause and "vandalism" community centres and the response
from Denis Bradley was that he's unhappy. This is a fine example of holding the police to account!
Patten has not been delivered nor is the word "new" something, which should be used in relation to the PSNI.
The public decisions made by the Police Board indicate that since joining the Policing Board the SDLP has been unable to even advance the Patten recommendations. Fudge has become the order of the day.
You cannot say you have achieved something then negotiate it.
You cannot say you are working to implement Patten but also say you have achieved it.
Cosmetic changes are agreed, while core issues, linked to the old agenda of the RUC remains central to the PSNI.
Point number seven may be about the developments surrounding the PSNI/RUC full time reserve.
Patten recommended that the full time reserve should not be part of the "new beginning".
Unionist politicians on the Policing Board are already saying no way.
Watch for the Policing Board fudge again and the SDLP spin the illusion of change!
The Mandelson Bill was not Patten and we now see the out working of this half a loaf.
Having not got Patten to start with, the SDLP substitute Patten with spin!
The Pot
After reading a recent statement by an SDLP representative in your paper and listening to SDLP party leader Mark Durkan, I find that SDLP members are saying contradictory things about the new start to policing we are told is in progress.
The local SDLP representatives have constantly told us they have achieved Patten. The SDLP locally, has claimed on a number of occasions that Patten has been delivered. Yet on Goof Friday morning, Mark Durkan claimed that going on to the Policing Board was the way to get Patten.
Then, he went on and pointed out that the anti-Patten camp actual held the majority of votes on the board.
Therefore, despite claims that Patten has been delivered, it clearly has not.
But having jumped earlier, the SDLP now insists that the way to get Patten is to be on the Policing Board. This is in spite of earlier SDLP claims that Patten was the bottom line.
From this position if one reviews Policing Board we will be able to judge if Patten is being implemented or even a new start to policing is on the way.
1) Patten recommends a new oath for all PSNI, only new recruits will take a new oath.
2) Patten recommends "a new badge entirely free from any association with either the British or Irish state and the Patten commission noted that the Assembly was able; to adopt a crest free from such symbols. The Policing Board used the old symbols of the RUC.
3) In response to the Ombudsman's investigation into the Omagh bomb the Policing Board rejected the core recommendations and refused to appoint a new outside officer to take over the investigation. Indeed the board went further and called for a review of the ombudsman's office, despite the fact that the office had been up and running for a short period.
4) The powers of the Policing Board was seen to be powerless when the Secretary of State using the "national security" clause when Castlereagh was "broken-into" The board is unable, powerless to make anyone accountability for breaking into their own stations.
5) The PSNI have required enough plastic bullets in its arsenal for the next 20 years despite Patten's recommendations that plastic bullets be
discontinued as soon as possible.
6) The PSNI are busy smashing in to republican home, arresting people with no due cause and "vandalism" community centres and the response
from Denis Bradley was that he's unhappy. This is a fine example of holding the police to account!
Patten has not been delivered nor is the word "new" something, which should be used in relation to the PSNI.
The public decisions made by the Police Board indicate that since joining the Policing Board the SDLP has been unable to even advance the Patten recommendations. Fudge has become the order of the day.
You cannot say you have achieved something then negotiate it.
You cannot say you are working to implement Patten but also say you have achieved it.
Cosmetic changes are agreed, while core issues, linked to the old agenda of the RUC remains central to the PSNI.
Point number seven may be about the developments surrounding the PSNI/RUC full time reserve.
Patten recommended that the full time reserve should not be part of the "new beginning".
Unionist politicians on the Policing Board are already saying no way.
Watch for the Policing Board fudge again and the SDLP spin the illusion of change!
The Mandelson Bill was not Patten and we now see the out working of this half a loaf.
Having not got Patten to start with, the SDLP substitute Patten with spin!
The Pot
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1003
Published Date: 18-Apr-02
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