Police Service of Northern Ireland

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is the police service that covers Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and was created on Sunday, November 4 2001, as a result of a Policing Review set up under the Belfast Agreement. This agreement, which helped to end the Irish Republican Army's three-decade-long violent campaign against the union of Northern Ireland and Great Britain, required the creation of an Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, which became known as the Patten Commission after its chairman, Chris Patten. The political party Sinn Féin, which represents about a quarter of Northern Ireland voters, has so far refused to endorse the PSNI until Patten's recommendations are "implemented in full".

Related Topics:
Police - Northern Ireland - Royal Ulster Constabulary - November 4 - 2001 - Belfast Agreement - Irish Republican Army - Union - Great Britain - Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland - Chris Patten - Sinn Féin

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The PSNI has a deliberately discriminatory policy of recruiting 50% of its officers from a Roman Catholic background and 50% from a background other than Roman Catholic, in order to reverse the serious religious imbalance that existed in the RUC. The name and symbols of the organisation, are designed not to alienate either community. The badge features the saltire of St Patrick, and six symbols representing different and shared traditions: a crown, a harp, a shamrock, scales of justice, a torch and a laurel leaf. It is supervised by the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Saltire - St Patrick - Northern Ireland Policing Board

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In May 2005 the PSNI took delivery of its first helicopter, a Eurocopter EC 135. The PSNI (and the RUC) relied heavily on British Army helicopter support during the Troubles and into the 21st century. The helicopter will be used for pursuit, search for missing persons and for managing parades/demonstrations etc.

Related Topics:
Eurocopter EC 135 - British Army

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