‘Primacy of an accountable PSNI is paramount’ – Ruane
Sinn Féin Policing Board Member Caitriona Ruane said the primacy of an accountable PSNI is paramount.
Speaking to Newry Times, Ruane stated, “The ‘National Crimes Agency’ is refusing to be accountable to the normal mechanisms negotiated in the Good Friday Agreement.
“We recognise the importance of co-operation between different agencies to combat organised crime and this is clearly working on a North/South basis in Ireland and between police in Ireland, Britain and in other police agencies throughout the world.
“The primacy of the PSNI in combating organised crime, indeed all criminality, is paramount. Alongside that is the need for all agencies to be accountable to the mechanisms already in place, such as the Police Ombudsman’s Office and the Policing Board.
Ruane added, “We can not have two tier policing in the North of Ireland. Historically when the accountability mechanisms were not in place policing powers were abused in a very extreme, political and partisan way against one section of our community. We will not return to those days.”
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