Hussey calls for review of police recruitment policy

Following Chief Constable Hugh Orde’s admission that the Police 50/50 recruitment policy discriminates against non-Catholics, West Tyrone Ulster Unionist representative, Derek Hussey, has called for an immediate review of the policy.

Mr Hussey said: "Whilst I welcome the Chief Constable's honesty in admitting that current Police 50/50 recruitment discriminates against non-Catholics, it is merely stating the obvious.

“Unionism has long been critical of this policy that has resulted in over a thousand suitably qualified Protestants having their applications to join the Police Service turned down."

The comments came in response to an article published in the ‘News Letter’ in which Mr Orde conceded: "The process is discriminatory against non-Catholics. I don't underestimate its impact on the non-Catholic community whose sons and daughters cannot get in."

Mr Hussey said he fully agreed with a Police Federation spokesman who said that recruits need to be able to come forward from all parts of the community. However, he maintained that candidates should be selected solely on their ability irrespective of their perceived religious affiliation.

"We must also remember that the 50/50 policy applies to the recruitment of civilian staff. It is hoped that civilian staff can be brought in to various positions within the Police Service thus freeing up officers to undertake direct Policing duties,” he added.

"Throughout Northern Ireland there are reports of a lack of Police resources `on the ground'. It is vital that manpower levels are not compromised. At present there is undoubted concern that the 50/50 policy is working against police ability to put officers on to our streets."

He said that with many communities suffering increasing disorder and crime, it was time that the government undertook a review of the impact on police numbers as a direct result of the 50/50 recruitment policy.

(SP)