US Targeted For NI Policing Board Update

A clear message on unity and resolve on impartial policing in Northern Ireland is to be key to a special 17th March US mission.

The NI Policing Board Chairman and a cross party delegation of Board members have embarked on a five-day visit to Washington and New York for a series of meetings and engagements.

These face-to-face meetings will include a significant presence by the Board at the White House on St Patrick's Day.

But admist the patron saint's day celebration, the firm focus for the visit is on policing and justice issues.

Speaking about the visit, Board Chairman, Professor Sir Desmond Rea, said: "Given recent events, Board Members will use this visit to send a very clear message to the administration and the wider Irish-American audience of their commitment to effective, efficient and impartial policing."

Referring to last week's brutal murders by dissident republicans, he continued: "It will also affirm the unity and resolve that those who would wish to wreck the progress that has been made have no mandate or support within the Northern Ireland community.

"With a new administration in office there is a one-off opportunity to engage the political representatives in Washington on the issues of policing and justice in Northern Ireland."

He also said that many leading political figures in the United States have cited the peace process in Northern Ireland as a lesson in conflict resolution which can be used to bring people together and help countries around the world to both avoid and resolve conflicts.

"It is clear that, despite the killing of two soldiers and a police officer, the public and political response since is that the message of peace and reconciliation is stronger than ever.

"This visit is being used as a platform to reinforce that message, and to emphasize the unity of this Board," said the Chairman.

"At this time, there is a need to provide assurance on the progress in building community confidence in policing," he continued, noting the Board's commitment to deliver the "final piece of the policing jigsaw through the process now in place to facilitate devolution of policing and justice".

(BMcC/JM)