Success, challenge and support

On Monday last week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland collected two National Pay Roll Giving Awards, Best Public Sector and Best Overall UK Campaign, at a reception at HM Treasury in London.

On Thursday last week, your Police Service was recognised at the Jane’s Police Review Gala Awards in London.

Sergeant Brian Caskey was awarded third place in the Community Police Officer of the Year category, Inspector John Kinkead came second in the Lifetime Achievement in Policing Award and the Unite Against Hate campaign was awarded third place in the Diversity in Action Award.

These successes contrast sharply with the attempted murder of three police officers on Friday evening, as they were carrying out their normal duties – duties their colleagues were recognised and rewarded for carrying out the previous evening.

Terrorists once again showed their complete disregard for the safety of not just the police officers they clearly wanted to kill, but anyone who might have been in the area at that time. The device used was a military type grenade designed to fragment on detonation and kill anyone within a ten-metre radius.

Shrapnel was recovered over a large area and was found embedded in the shutters of local premises.

Thankfully none of the officers were seriously injured. One officer had to remain in medical care and underwent a series of operations on his arm, but I am delighted to report that he was released from hospital earlier today.

I know that all right thinking people will join with me in wishing each of the officers a full and speedy recovery.

These officers were out delivering a service to the local community, responding to a call for assistance from a local shop owner who had been robbed. They were carrying out an investigation to identify the person responsible and ensuring that the local community was protected from serious harm.

Our success in winning a variety of national awards is further recognition of the professionalism, determination and generosity of your police officers and staff who work daily in a truly unique and very challenging policing environment.

No other police service in the UK operates in a policing environment like Northern Ireland. And to be the only police service to pick up three awards, together with the Payroll giving award was a truly outstanding achievement.

Friday evening could have so easily had a different outcome. Police officers, local people, including young people and children in the area at the time of this attack could have been seriously injured or killed.

Our investigation into the robbery and attempted murder is ongoing and we are determined to identify those responsible.

I appeal for your support, not just in this investigation, but for the officers who day and daily continue to deliver a personal, professional and protective policing service despite the significant challenges.