THE UNION representing rank and file PSNI officers is backing the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Executive.
Local responsibility, it says, would help “improve community confidence that criminality was being robustly challenged”.
Addressing the annual conference yesterday of the Police Federation, chairman Terry Spence said officers were preparing for what he called “the eventual return of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland”.
Speaking in Belfast, he added: “We have an agenda of issues, such as the current sentencing policy, the lack of action against loyalist paramilitaries and the continued threat from dissident republicans.”
Referring to current talks involving the DUP, which is opposed to imminent transfer of justice powers, and Sinn Féin, which is eager for devolution, Mr Spence said the issue was unresolved because of a “political impasse”.
He hoped the intervention on Tuesday by prime minister Gordon Brown “might ease” the situation.
“How and when that impasse is ended is a matter for our politicians,” he said.
“But, suffice to say, that if a more imaginative approach is found as to who should be the new policing and justice minister, then that moment should be seized.”
He added: “I urge everyone in politics to think long term about the greater good of Northern Ireland and to take whatever steps are necessary to stabilise the institutions so that we have a more secure future for everyone.”
Mr Spence then challenged members of Sinn Féin to pass to the police any intelligence they have about the activities of so-called dissident republicans.
“The federation firmly believes that many mainstream republicans, including members of Sinn Féin, know more than just the identities of dissident terrorists,” he said.