PSNI and public service rewarded

At the end of a very busy and challenging week, the events I attended over the weekend have reminded me of the privilege I have of being the Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

On Friday night the 'Making the Difference Awards' at the Grand Opera House in Belfast acknowledged ordinary people, including some outstandingly courageous children, who had dedicated their time and talents to making their street, community, school or environment a better place.

I was delighted that Dame Mary Peters was acknowledged with a special award for her lifelong commitment to sport and to the community of Northern Ireland. It was a fitting recognition of her public service, marking the 40th anniversary of her momentous Munich Olympics Gold medal win. The evening was also interspersed with outstanding song and dance performances by local young people and of course, our very own May McFetridge.

On Saturday past, I watched with immense pride as the men and women of the Police Service of Northern Ireland received the highest award possible, the Freedom of the Borough, from North Down Borough Council. The PSNI is greatly honoured to have been recognised in this way and North Down is the first council to do so.

Eighty men and women from the PSNI were led through the streets of Bangor by the Pipes and Drums of the PSNI Pipe Band. The old and the new were represented, from an officer with seven months service to one with almost 44 years. I believe the awarding of the Freedom of the Borough for the Police Service, in this our tenth anniversary year, is an endorsement of the policing service that we deliver, every single day, to all the people of Northern Ireland.

The Mayor, Councillor James McKerrow, said publicly that he felt it was the right time to bestow such an honour in recognition of the implementation of the Patten proposals and the development of the type of police service that the Royal Ulster Constabulary wanted to be. In his words "a community based police service serving the whole population equally."

I was delighted that so many people came out onto the streets, in the glorious sunshine, to show their support.

Today, those officers who paraded on Saturday in their best uniform and shiny shoes are back at work delivering a personal, professional and protective policing service. I have no doubt, however, that their sense of pride, as they represented the Police Service, will not be forgotten for the rest of their police career - and probably long after that as well.