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02/10/2008
SF Oppose Policing Board Approval For Taser
Most members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board today agreed to support the Chief Constable's proposal to introduce the non-fatal protection device, Taser.
Chairman of the Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: "This has been the subject of substantial debate and discussion over many months.
"Board Members carried the following motion by majority vote: 'This Board supports in principle the Chief Constable's decision to permanently issue Taser to Specialist Operations Branch and to Armed Response Vehicles subject to completion, in respect of the latter, of a satisfactory pilot."
However, Sinn Féin formally recorded opposition to the motion proposed and to taking a decision on the use of Taser prior to the completion of the ongoing Judicial Review.
Sinn Féin Policing Board member Martina Anderson said the Policing Board's decision to endorse the use of Tasers by the PSNI is the wrong decision.
Speaking after today's Policing Board meeting Ms Andersons said: "The Policing Board's decision today to give the go ahead for rolling out of Tasers is the wrong decision. Sinn Féin were the only party on the Board to oppose this move
"These weapons are not 'less than lethal' having killed over 300 people around the world and organisations such as Amnesty International oppose their use.
"I don't think there's confidence out there, particularly in the nationalist/republican community, to see this weapon deployed.
"As such there is still a Judicial Review outstanding with regards the use of this weapon and today's decision is the Board clearly undermining the judiciary before their review is complete," she concluded.
(BMcC)
Chairman of the Board Professor Sir Desmond Rea said: "This has been the subject of substantial debate and discussion over many months.
"Board Members carried the following motion by majority vote: 'This Board supports in principle the Chief Constable's decision to permanently issue Taser to Specialist Operations Branch and to Armed Response Vehicles subject to completion, in respect of the latter, of a satisfactory pilot."
However, Sinn Féin formally recorded opposition to the motion proposed and to taking a decision on the use of Taser prior to the completion of the ongoing Judicial Review.
Sinn Féin Policing Board member Martina Anderson said the Policing Board's decision to endorse the use of Tasers by the PSNI is the wrong decision.
Speaking after today's Policing Board meeting Ms Andersons said: "The Policing Board's decision today to give the go ahead for rolling out of Tasers is the wrong decision. Sinn Féin were the only party on the Board to oppose this move
"These weapons are not 'less than lethal' having killed over 300 people around the world and organisations such as Amnesty International oppose their use.
"I don't think there's confidence out there, particularly in the nationalist/republican community, to see this weapon deployed.
"As such there is still a Judicial Review outstanding with regards the use of this weapon and today's decision is the Board clearly undermining the judiciary before their review is complete," she concluded.
(BMcC)
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20 November 2007
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
