Sinn Féin leaders, including First Minister Michelle O’Neill, will attend a PSNI graduation ceremony for the first time on Friday. The event at Garnerville marks the first time Sinn Féin politicians have attended a passing out ceremony since the PSNI was established 23 years ago. Gerry Kelly, the party’s policing board member, will also attend. Alliance leader Naomi Long will be at the event in her role as justice minister. It is understood that Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will also be in attendance.
Sinn Féin has been criticised in the past for not fully supporting the PSNI. However, this move marks a turning point in the party’s visible support for the police. It also plays to Michelle O’Neill’s promise to be a First Minister for all. Four years ago, O’Neill and Kelly attended the launch of a PSNI poster recruitment campaign, which was described by the then-chief constable, Simon Byrne, as “seismic and historic.”
Gregory Campbell, DUP MP, welcomed the announcement, saying that it was “better late than never.” He called the party’s decision an “unequivocal welcome of a step which should have occurred many years ago.” Campbell hopes that this move will lead to further support to encourage people from different backgrounds to join the police.
Whether this decision will help to drive up Catholic recruitment beyond the current level of 32% remains to be seen. Until now, Sinn Féin has challenged the PSNI to do more to attract young Catholics to the police force. Whether this move indicates an increased commitment on Sinn Féin’s part to encourage young Catholics to join the police force remains to be demonstrated. The ceremony, where six officers will pass out, is expected to be a low-key affair
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