11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

Recommendation 127: Identify and Recruit Northern Ireland Catholic OfficersPatten Recommendation:127. The recruitment agency should seek to identify Northern Ireland Catholic officers in otherpolice services, including the Garda Siochana, contact them and encourage them - particularlythose in more senior ranks - to apply for positions in the Northern Ireland police.Lead Responsibility: NIO/Chief Constable/Recruitment Agency/Policing BoardRecommendation StatusFull compliance with this recommendation has not yet been achieved. (Minimal progress)HistoryThe Independent Commission recognised that while the recruitment of Catholic and Protestantpolice officers on an equal basis would address the overall imbalance of community representationin the police service, and in particular in the lower ranks, it would take some time before theupper ranks would be affected. Clearly it would take some time for those new officers to worktheir way to those upper ranks. The Independent Commission understanding that there wereNorthern Ireland Catholics serving in other police services, but for various reasons were eitherunwilling or unable to serve in Northern Ireland, recommended that the recruitment agencyidentify and contact such officers, especially in the senior ranks, and encourage them to apply.Section 45 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 provides legislative authority, for the PolicingBoard in respect to senior officers and the Chief Constable in respect to other ranks, to seekapplicants from other police services, including the Garda Siochana. However, the Police Servicehas provided no evidence demonstrating an effort to identify Northern Ireland Catholic officers inother police services.Remaining IssuesThe identification and recruitment of Northern Ireland Catholic officers in other police services inorder to bring substantial change in the composition in the senior ranks - Superintendent andabove - is a remaining issue. In 1999, there were 27 (16%) Catholic officers in those ranks,however, 23 of those left under the voluntary severance scheme. In April of 2007, there were 13(or 12%) Catholic officers holding those ranks. This will not be an issue in the long term, as aresult of recruiting on the front end. The Policing Board will have to reflect on whether or not isa practical issue for the intervening years, and direct appropriate action from the Police Service ifdeemed necessary.Recommendation 128: Lateral Entry of Experience OfficersPatten Recommendation:128. Lateral entry of experienced officers from other police services, and secondments orrecruitments from non-police organisations should be actively encouraged.Lead Responsibility: NIO/Chief Constable/Recruitment Agency/Policing Board162