The Chief Constable of the PSNI, Matt Baggott, deserves gratitude for “doing a difficult job in the most trying circumstances”, according to NI Conservatives’ co-chair and former policing board member, Trevor Ringland. Trevor made his comments after Mr Baggott announced that he will retire in September 2014.
“The Chief Constable has always been committed to keeping people safe and delivering a community police service in Northern Ireland”, Trevor noted. “In a society which remains divided that is an enormous and often a thankless undertaking. He should be thanked for always approaching his duties with dedication and professionalism.”
“Mr Baggott’s job hasn’t been made any easier by the fact that politicians haven’t always provided the unequivocal backing for the rule of law which his force deserves. There is far too great a readiness, in some quarters, to try to drag the police into broader political arguments, or to use the PSNI as a political football.”
“I’d like to express gratitude to Mr Baggott for the job that he has done in Northern Ireland and wish him all the best for the future. It would be a fitting tribute if the political parties at Stormont were to back the rule of law without equivocation for the rest of his tenure and give his successor their proper backing, as the PSNI, like the RUC before it, continues to serve the people of Northern Ireland with professionalism and bravery.”