The momentum for police reform was now unstoppable, SDLP Assembly member Mr Joe Byrne said following yesterday's graduation ceremony for the second batch of recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
A total of 58 new officers - 38 men and 20 women - were awarded certificates in police studies at the Police College in Belfast yesterday. As probationer constables, they will undertake a further 10 weeks of instruction in operational skills such as driving, public order and firearms training. They will then join senior PSNI officers and the 44 recruits who graduated in April at stations throughout the North.
Mr Byrne, an SDLP member of the Policing Board, said that the graduation of the recruits on a 50:50 Catholic/Protestant basis was further confirmation of the new beginning to policing.
"There will be 10 or 11 graduation ceremonies in this year alone of 500 new police officers, the most visible sign of change and of the courage of young people to accept and not shirk their responsibilities," he said.
