Northern Ireland

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne says attracting nationalists as support staff could solve recruitment problem

Chief Constable Simon Byrne with Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly at the launch of a new student officer recruitment drive at Garnerville Training College.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne with Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly at the launch of a new student officer recruitment drive at Garnerville Training College. Chief Constable Simon Byrne with Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly at the launch of a new student officer recruitment drive at Garnerville Training College.

THE issue with Catholic recruitment to the PSNI could be solved by first encouraging people to join the organisation as civilian staff, Chief Constable Simon Byrne has said.

Between 2002 and 2009 the proportion of Catholic officers increased from eight per cent to 30 per cent.

Catholic officers currently make up around 32 per cent of the organisation, however that drops to just over19 per cent of PSNI civilian support staff.

Mr Bryne said he was just one of a line of chief constables "over the years who all wrestled with this issue".

"Moving forward, I think we've got a series of issues to try and resolve.

Read More: Simon Byrne said he joined PSNI with 'eyes open' as he brushes off controversy over Crossmaglen photo

"There's some broader different thinking we could adopt, rather than recruit in tramlines, so recruit police officers, I think that we recruit people into the police family.

Read More: Too early to re-introduce 50-50 recruitment says new chief constable

"So you could attract somebody quicker for example as a call taker in a contact centre, as police staff they then like the feel of the organisation, realise that there are risks, yes, but then apply to become a police officer.

"So it is looking at all opportunities to make the organisation more accessible", he said.

Originally from Surrey, Mr Byrne is the third English officer to hold the post. Sir Matt Baggot held the post from 2009 to 2014 while his predecessor Sir Hugh Orde was in post from 2002 to 2009.

However despite not being from Northern Ireland he said that the diversity issue was not alien to him.

"I talked about this in my interview almost a year ago," he said.

"Of course the context is slightly different, but I equate the representation issue here in terms of community background with the issues I had recruiting black officers into London."

In February, Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill attended the launch of the PSNI recruitment campaign, the first time the party had endorsed such an event.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill with Chief Constable Simon Byrne and Anne Connolly, former Chairperson of the NI Policing Board, at the launch of a new student officer recruitment drive.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill with Chief Constable Simon Byrne and Anne Connolly, former Chairperson of the NI Policing Board, at the launch of a new student officer recruitment drive. Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill with Chief Constable Simon Byrne and Anne Connolly, former Chairperson of the NI Policing Board, at the launch of a new student officer recruitment drive.

While the recruitment drive was postponed due to coronavirus, it is expected to resume shortly once issues of social distances can be resolved.

"Recently when we had that event in Garnerville, when Sinn Féin stepped in the room I described it then as 'seismic' and historic I think it was.

"Now that one event in itself does not mean that all our problems are over, and we've got a raft of stuff, things like a safety and secure environment so people don't feel sometimes compelled to hide their occupation.

"Having to take steps everyday about checking routes to work and is there a bomb under the car. These are all issues people take really seriously when they think about joining an organisation like this.

"So it's about development of specialist teams and promotion right through the ranks."

Northern Ireland's top officer said "a coalition of the willing" was needed to bring about real change.

"I've had a chance to go out and meet senior people from the GAA and that was really constructive, they reciprocated quite quickly in joining me and Paula Hilman at a recognition awards ceremony just before the crisis started.

"I've had a number of meetings with people from the Catholic Church."

Mr Byrne said: "I came here almost a year ago and I'm still trying to understand the hurt and harm caused during the Troubles.

"Neighbourhood policing is the route to showing we are human beings, we're not biased, we are here just to police all of the country to make every community safe and secure and we're here to protect people."

While not in favour of return to 50/50 Mr Byrne said: "It would be foolish to rule it out because like anything in life once it's gone it's hard to get it back."

Last year the Irish News reported that the future of the PSNI's GAA team was in doubt because of falling numbers of Catholic recruits.

Earlier this month it was reported that Superintendent Gerry Murray planned to set up a Catholic Police Officers Guild to provide "pastoral care" for "practising Roman Catholics" in the service.

Mr Bryne said that formal discussions about the guild had yet to take place and there area "a series of networks" in the service.

"That might be Women in Policing network or the network for LGBT officers and staff. So Gerry's proposal would come into that sort of space.

"He has to go through a checking and assurance process. He can't just set one up. And we are going through that at the minute to ensure he meets the policy for doing that.

"So that is as far as our conversation has gone, so I'm not ruling it out but we have to have a formal conversation", he added.