Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008/2009
15 Jun 2009
Writing in the foreword of his 2008/2009 Annual Report published today (15 June), the Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde OBE, paid tribute to all police officers and staff.
He said: “The Police Service is made up of ordinary men and women, with a sense of duty, pride and professionalism, doing an extraordinary job. As I send you my last annual report as Chief Constable of the PSNI, I pay enormous tribute to the individuals, both officers and staff who, day and daily, work to keep Northern Ireland safe.
Sir Hugh went on to explain how much Police have achieved in the last year in a very challenging environment.
“In an already difficult financial climate, we have faced significant additional financial pressures – dealing with legacy issues such as hearing loss claims, pension costs and the security environment. Managing our finances within budget while still delivering a first class policing service is an achievement I am very proud of.
“The latest annual statistics for the year under review shows a small increase in recorded crime. This increase is the first for over seven years. Our clearance rate has increased by almost 3%. This means we are catching more criminals and putting them before the courts. We are not complacent. We will continue to work to increase our clearance rates and reduce crime across Northern Ireland. We can do this together in partnership with you.
“Policing remains a career of choice for many. With almost 10,000 applications for only 440 posts this year, we continue to attract the very best talent from across Northern Ireland and beyond. Our service reflects the people we serve, from all communities, backgrounds and ages.”
Sir Hugh also highlighted that 2008/2009 was a particularly difficult year for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He said: “We lost five colleagues – Constable Stephen Carroll was brutally murdered by terrorists and Constables James Magee, Kevin Gorman, Declan Greene and Kenneth Irvine tragically died in a road traffic collision near Warrenpoint.
“All had one thing in common – they were answering a call for help from their community, the community they served so well. Many tributes have been paid to these five officers not only from across Northern Ireland but internationally. Indeed, it is a sign of how far we have come here that people from all sides stood together in sorrow at these events. It has been a year that we as a Police Service will not forget,” Sir Hugh concluded.
Distribution of the 12-page Report to all households across Northern Ireland began today and will continue over the coming weeks. The Report can also be downloaded from the PSNI website: www.psni.co.uk and will be available in alternative formats on request, including Braille, large print, audio or in ethnic minority languages for those not fluent in English.
Download the Chief Constable's Annual Report 2008 / 09
