Division - No Quick Fix

This morning I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at the Community Relations Council Annual Policy Conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast.

This was only one of many events taking place across Northern Ireland as part of Community Relations week 2011.

The theme for the week is 'Division - No Quick Fix'. Many of us have become so conditioned to division it almost feels normal. The conference reminded me just how much division affects and shapes our society.

At an estimated cost of £1 billion per year, division affects everything from health to education to public transport, to access to services and - at times - two of everything literally a few streets apart. This situation is not and should not be seen as normal.

Community relations, or rather, Community Confidence is a critical part of policing. Sadly so much of our time is spent dealing with the symptoms of division and whilst the Police Service has a significant role to play, we do not have all the answers and are part of a much bigger solution.

I welcome the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate's report, today, on PSNI Contact Management. How we deal with people, who are very often contacing us at a time of personal crisis, is critical to community confidence in the Police Service and this has an impact on the wider issue of community relations. Every encounter we have with the public can have a significance way beyond the immediate incident.

I very much welcome the recognition from CJINI of the work which we have already undertaken and we look forward to updating the Inspectorate on how this work is being rolled out across the Service.

Much has been achieved and sometimes we can forget just how far we have come. Last weeks truly historic visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic of Ireland is a prime example of this. We want to have the ability and space to support communities effectively. Time and money spent dealing with division distracts us from that ambition. But if we work together, I believe that much more can be achieved.

Every single one of us has a responsibility to play. For me that's not just in my role as Deputy Chief Constable, but also as a wife, mother and member of my local community. Never underestimate the circle of influence and the power in your hands to challenge and change division.