Police Masons Told to Own Up

Aug 5 2003

Dan McGinn
IC NothternIreland.co.uk


POLICE officers who are Freemasons, members of the Catholic Knights of Columbanus or the Orange Order will have to disclose their involvement to their bosses under new measures announced today.

The PSNI confirmed that all officers will be required to notify Chief Constable Hugh Orde if they are members of Protestant, Catholic or other secret or cultural organisations.

The measure, which was recommended in the Patten Report, means members of loyalist marching organisations like the Orange Order, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, Independent Orange Order and the Royal Black Institution will have to declare their membership.

The nationalist Ancient Order of Hibernians and Catholic Knights of Columbanus are included as well as the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland.

Police officers who are members of organisations whose ''views on race, ethnicity or national identity may be perceived to be in conflict with Section 32 of the Police (NI) Act 2000 and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998'' are also bound by the new rule.

Officers will also have to declare if they are a member of an organisation which they believe could call into question their impartiality.

Asst Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, who is responsible for implementing the human rights recommendations in the Patten Report, said the policy should be seen as a positive step to remove any negative public perceptions about the membership of police in certain organisations.

"The present state of community divisions in Northern Ireland means that membership of some organisations can be perceived in certain communities as affecting the ability of officers to discharge their duties effectively and impartially,'' he said.

"I want to make it clear this is not a comment on the legitimacy or propriety of any of these organisations; rather, it is about reasonable perceptions held by certain parts of the community.''

Mr Kinkaid said the information gathered from officers would be in confidence and would only be disclosed under the terms of and to the people listed in the Police Act.

The information would also not form part of the decision-making process in relation to promotions, transfers and appointments.

"To ensure that the policy is implemented in a proportionate manner, we have undertaken to inform officers, in the majority of situations, if their details have been disclosed to third parties.

"The list of organisations will be subject to regular review.

"Police officers will receive specific guidance from the Chief Constable in the near future on their responsibilities in relation to this matter.''

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