Orde pays tribute to officers who died
Hugh Orde used the publication of his last annual report as PSNI Chief Constable today to pay tribute to five officers who died in the line of duty this year.
Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead by the Continuity IRA in March this year, while four other officers died in a horrific road crash last November.
Orde will take up the presidency of the Association of Chief Police Officers in September after seven years as the top policeman in the North and today he praised the dedication of the deceased officers.
While his annual report focuses on crime levels and the performance of the police, he noted that 2008/2009 was a particularly difficult year for the service.
“We lost five colleagues – Constable Stephen Carroll was brutally murdered by terrorists and Constables James Magee, Kevin Gorman, Declan Greene and Kenneth Irvine tragically died in a road traffic collision near Warrenpoint,” he wrote in the report set to be released today.
“All had one thing in common – they were answering a call for help from their community, the community they served so well.
“Many tributes have been paid to these five officers not only from across Northern Ireland but internationally.
“Indeed, it is a sign of how far we have come here that people from all sides stood together in sorrow at these events.
“It has been a year that we as a Police Service will not forget.”
Orde, meanwhile, said that all members of the police service had continued to work hard to reduce crime levels and protect the public over the last year.
But while crime figures are up, Orde argued that the increase in recorded crime of 1.5% was relatively small.
He said: “The latest annual statistics for the year under review shows a small increase in recorded crime.
“This increase is the first for over seven years. Our clearance rate has increased by almost 3% (from 20.5% to 23%).
“This means we are catching more criminals and putting them before the courts. We are not complacent.
“We will continue to work to increase our clearance rates and reduce crime across Northern Ireland. We can do this together in partnership with you.
“Policing remains a career of choice for many. With almost 10,000 applications for only 440 posts this year, we continue to attract the very best talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond.
“Our service reflects the people we serve, from all communities, backgrounds and ages.”
Politicians at the Assembly are currently involved in a process set to lead to the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont.
A major issue in negotiations with government is the financial implications of the move.
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are to travel to London this week for discussions with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown when the transfer of powers is expected to be top of the agenda.
Today Orde also highlighted the difficulties the police service has faced in tackling legacy issues from the Troubles, which have increased the financial pressure on the force.
Government has already provided extra cash for the chief constable to ensure the additional burden of meeting the dissident threat does not endanger neighbourhood policing provisions.
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has also said that agreements are being negotiated to help the police with costs from issues related to the decades of conflict.
Orde said: “In an already difficult financial climate, we have faced significant additional financial pressures – dealing with legacy issues such as hearing loss claims, pension costs and the security environment.
“Managing our finances within budget while still delivering a first class policing service is an achievement I am very proud of.”
He added: “The Police Service is made up of ordinary men and women, with a sense of duty, pride and professionalism, doing an extraordinary job.
“As I send you my last annual report as Chief Constable of the PSNI, I pay enormous tribute to the individuals, both officers and staff who, day and daily, work to keep Northern Ireland safe.”
The Police Federation which represents rank and file officers has, meanwhile, called on Orde to shelve plans to phase-out the remaining 500 full time reserve officers, as planned under the Patten reforms of policing.
The organisation said that the move flew in the face of Orde’s views over the level of threat from dissident republican groupings who are opposed to the peace process.
The Federation asked that with the search for a successor to Orde already under way, a final decision on the fulltime reserve be left to the new police chief.
