12/10/2015
Equality Commission comment on security alerts at PSNI recruitment events.
Dr Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said:
“We are very disappointed to learn that the event due to be held at the Waterfoot Hotel later this week has now been cancelled. It is unacceptable that the venues playing host to a number of PSNI information sessions for the latest recruitment campaign have been the subject of security alerts.
The Commission has engaged with the PSNI over many years to ensure that appropriate outreach measures are being implemented to encourage applications from the Roman Catholic community and other under-represented groups in Northern Ireland. These familiarisation events are an important part of this process.
We know that a large number of applications have already been submitted for this latest competition and we hope that these alerts do not deter people from attending future recruitment seminars or applying to join the Police Service for Northern Ireland.
If we wish to live in a tolerant and respectful society it is important that the whole community supports the right of people to choose whether or not to join the police.
We will continue to work with the PSNI to encourage people from all sections of our society to apply so that the police service can be fully representative of all the communities in which it serves.”