SF councillors accused over stance on policing

The following article , again, comes from the Derry journal. I find the points made in it interesting as it supports my previous post as concerns Joy Riders and the Nationalist communities aversion to the PSNI and the old RUC. If SF cannot even get enough political Representatives to fill the allotted seats on the board, because there are not enough Representatives willing to participate, what message does that send the people? Or, which I doubt, does the Nationalist community as whole wish to have no say or influence on how their neighborhoods are policed? I reiterate my position that the people of NI need to work with the PSNI and turn their backs on the old ways. At least give it a go, then if it doesn't work out you can always go back. Whats the harm? I am betting if cooperation was forthcoming many more criminals, Drug dealers, Joy Riders, Hoods etc. would be off the streets.


SF councillors accused over stance on policing

By Staff reporter

Sinn Fein councillors are "opposing policing and a lawful society at every turn", according to the chairman of Derry District Policing Partnership, Councillor Shaun Gallagher.
Colr. Gallagher was speaking after Sinn Fein councillors in Strabane were unable to fill their positions on the area’s DPP. Sinn Fein was entitled to five places, but could only find three candidates willing to take seats on the DPP,Colr. Gallagher said: “It is becoming clearer day by day that Sinn Fein rammed their turnaround on policing through the Ard Fheis as the price of a deal with the DUP. It was clearly a forced, top-down decision whi
ch bypassed the consultation process which they demand of everyone else. They did not prepare their grassroots or even their elected representatives..” claimed the SDLP man.“The upshot of their poor preparation in Strabane is that the DUP get handed two extra seats, just as they once handed seats on the Policing Board itself to the DUP. This is a raw deal for nationalist voters at the hands of Sinn Fein.”Sinn Fein MP., Pat Doherty said: “Obviously there is disappointment that our party grouping on Strabane Council did not reach agreement on its full compliment of nominees to the District Policing Partnership at this time. Sinn Féin is fully committed to engaging with all of the policing structures.“I am confident that right across the north we will continue to provide constructive leadership in ensuring accountable policing that serves people in the communities we represent.”
The full article contains 259 words and appears in Journal Friday newspaper.
Last Updated: 12 December 2007 4:05 PM
http://www.derryjournal.com/politics/SF-councillors-accused-over-stance.3581946.jp

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