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PSNI now more acceptable - Orde PSNI now more acceptable - Orde
(about 2 hours later)
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said the PSNI are becoming more acceptable among some nationalists.Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said the PSNI are becoming more acceptable among some nationalists.
However, Sir Hugh said Sinn Fein joining the Policing Board would allow the nationalist community to support the PSNI more openly.However, Sir Hugh said Sinn Fein joining the Policing Board would allow the nationalist community to support the PSNI more openly.
"Once we achieve that we achieve a massive and significant shift forward in policing," he said."Once we achieve that we achieve a massive and significant shift forward in policing," he said.
He also said devolution of policing powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly should happen as soon as possible.He also said devolution of policing powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly should happen as soon as possible.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Sir Hugh said more people from the nationalist community seemed to be supportive of the police.Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Sir Hugh said more people from the nationalist community seemed to be supportive of the police.
"What we're picking up on the streets is an increasing acceptance of our service, people are grateful for what we do, people are talking to us more and more behind the scenes."What we're picking up on the streets is an increasing acceptance of our service, people are grateful for what we do, people are talking to us more and more behind the scenes.
"The real tragedy for me is that until Sinn Fein join the Policing Board some of these people will not feel able to support us openly," he said."The real tragedy for me is that until Sinn Fein join the Policing Board some of these people will not feel able to support us openly," he said.
The chief constable said Sinn Fein were in danger of being left behind on the issue of policing.
"If politicians don't jump on board fairly quickly they will get left behindby people who are experiencing our policing service and that is in some of the most difficult (areas) where there is still a very real dissident republican threat."