More than a quarter of applicants qualified to join the new policing service in Northern Ireland are Catholic, RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan revealed tonight.
|
|
Sir Ronnie Flanagan
|
Of the 550 who met the standards needed for recruitment, 28 per cent were Catholic and 33 per cent women, he said.
Catholics make up less than 10 per cent of the RUC, but with recruits joining up on a 50-50 Protestant/Catholic basis as part of the new policing arrangements, around 150 Catholics will be among the 300 men and women offered places within the next few weeks.
Training of new recruits is due to begin in the first week of November.
Sir Ronnie said he was delighted with the response and that unsuccessful candidates could reapply.
He said: "We set out to recruit 240 officers in this financial year. In fact we have enough successful applicants to recruit 308."
But the setting up of the 19-member board to oversee the new service is still uncertain.
The nationalist SDLP has signed up to the arrangements, but Sinn Fein the UUP DUP are still withholding their endorsement of the reforms.
UUP leader Mr David Trimble who has also had talks with Northern Secretary John Reid said tonight: "The objective of our party is to ensure there is effective policing in Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile, is has emerged that the blue ribbon of the George Cross which was awarded by the Queen to the RUC last year is to be incorporated into the force's service medal.
Approval has been given by the Government after approaches by representatives of the rank and file.
Service medals are awarded to officers after 18 months of duty.
The George Cross was presented to the force by the Queen at Hillsborough, Co Down in April last year in recognition of the courage and gallantry of it's officers and contribution to peace in Northern Ireland.
PA