PSNI and Garda secure EU peace funding

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Republic’s An Garda Siochana have been awarded a £330,000 grant by the Special EU Programmes Body Peace II.

The grant will be used to fund the first ever, joint diversity training/development programme between the PSNI and its southern counterpart.

The diversity programme entitled ‘Understanding relationships and community needs’ will provide cross border diversity training for police officers and staff throughout the island of Ireland.

Welcoming the programme, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said: “Both Police Services face similar challenges and it is only right and proper that we come together to learn from each other and share experiences.

“This training programme will help ensure that police officers throughout the island of Ireland are equipped with the knowledge and training that will help them understand the needs of all aspects of the communities we serve.”

Developed by two of the largest public bodies on the island of Ireland, the project will reflect the outward focus of the two police services and the increasing trend of “Europeanisation” in the country.

Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy said: “Key challenges for policing are making communities safer and building confidence that the police are policing for the community.

“Where it exists, prejudice and discrimination are well understood to be major barriers to building the trust and legitimacy that are so vital for effective, community-focused policing. This programme will contribute to providing our police services with the skills necessary to build trust in our communities and promote integration”.

The programme begins in December with a three-day focus group session called ‘Future Search’, which will identify the diversity training and development needs of both police services.

A training program for all police officers will commence towards the end of 2005 and be completed by June 2006.

(MB/SP)