Stormont’s Justice Minister Naomi Long has been accused of not doing enough to build confidence in the PSNI across societies in Northern Ireland.
During testy exchanges in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Ms Long hit back at SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, challenging him to use his influence do more to increase nationalist representation within the police.
Ms Long also told MLAs she was concerned about the impact that a recent spate of attacks on police was having on officer morale and recruitment.
A recent recruitment drive for the PSNI saw almost 5,000 applications to become student officers.
Naomi Long said she would not interfere with the operational independence of the PSNI (Liam McBurney/PA)
However, concerns were expressed about the number of applicants from the Catholic community, with Chief Constable Jon Boutcher saying it was below what it needed to be.
Raising the issue during ministerial question time on Monday, Mr McNulty said: “In the past decade the number of Catholic police officers has stalled at a quarter, only a quarter of the force, and could start falling.
“Given your party has held the justice department for most of the past decade and a half, do you take any responsibility for that?”
Ms Long responded that Mr McNulty’s predecessors in the SDLP had fought to achieve operational independence for the PSNI.
She added: “I have consistently called for people from all backgrounds to come forward, get involved in the PSNI and be involved in a piece of service to their community which is absolutely vital.
“I would encourage the member to do likewise.
Justin McNulty challenged the Justice Minister to do more to build public confidence in policing (Oliver McVeigh/PA)
“I know he has many connections through sport and through the community and I would imagine, as someone who is well respected in his community, could have great influence in getting young people to come forward and join the PSNI.”
Mr McNulty said it was interesting that the minister “put the responsibility” on to him.
He added: “Since the devolution of policing and justice powers, your department has held strategic oversight of the justice system.
“And your party has successfully privatised the recruitment of the post of justice minister to the exclusion of nationalists.
“Given the trust, funding and recruitment challenges within policing, you could and should have made public confidence in policing a priority. You have not.
“Please tell us what urgent actions you will take as minister for justice to ensure that policing reflects the society it serves.”
Ms Long said: “It is all of our responsibility to ensure the PSNI is reflective of the community. Every single person who walks through the doors of this chamber has a responsibility to ensure that their community has confidence in the PSNI.
“I will not wash my hands of that responsibility and I hope the SDLP aren’t going down the route of trying to do so.”
She added that she respects the operational independence of the Chief Constable.
Ms Long said: “There would be nothing more toxic to policing in Northern Ireland than where politicians start to get involved in dabbling in operational decision-making of the PSNI.
“You have a member, with respect, Mr McNulty, on the Policing Board. I suggest you converse with him about how you can best build confidence in the PSNI in your community.”
Ms Long said she had had conversations with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)
The minister was also questioned about attacks on officers. Recently nine officers were injured in a 48-hour period in Londonderry and Strabane.
She said: “I do not believe it is acceptable that we price into a career in policing that you will be assaulted by members of the public, it is not acceptable.
“There must be accountability on members of the public who behave badly towards them. That is why I am bringing forward, in the Sentencing Bill later this year, additional aggravating factors around attacking someone who is delivering a public service or is a public servant.
“I have had conversations with the Chief Constable on this matter because I am concerned about the impact it has, both on morale and recruitment.
“He has been very clear from his perspective, the days of dropping charges when someone assaults a police officer as one of those things that just happens in the system are over.
“When people assault a police officer it will be treated as assault and it should be prosecuted.”