Police did not stop residents entering their homes

Published 6 Aug 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Dear Sir, - An article entitled 'Concern in Newtownbutler ahead of more parades' in the 'Impartial Reporter' of July 30 made a number of points that I would be grateful of an opportunity of responding to.

First, it claims that police stopped residents from entering their homes during a parade two weeks ago. This did not happen.

A key part of my strategy, as the local commander at such events, is to ensure local residents have free access to home and services. Traffic operations are specifically set up to ensure good traffic flow, especially for those coming through Newtownbutler or living there.

People needing access to homes on foot have free movement to do that, and those in vehicles will be assisted, but may face a slight delay if the traffic situation requires some vehicles to be stopped for road safety reasons.

Secondly, the fourth paragraph talks about "the reaction of the PSNI" in parades policing. We are obligated to police parades and enforce Parades Commission determinations. Our attitude is always to ensure public safety, maintain order and seek to minimise any disruption to the community.

We have to plan according to the issues and problems we are aware of. At times this necessitates a significant operation but we want to work with the community to reduce and prevent problems to allow us to reduce our response proportionately.

Paragraph 9 accuses police of "playing politics" with Newtownbutler.

We are fully committed to the protection and development of the community in the village. We are serious about this and will focus on developing local policing to ensure this.

I totally reject that we would ever be as careless as to "play" with the people who we have a duty and focus to protect.

We have to police the situations we face, but we always look beyond the present to the successful future the community wants.

Despite the significant threat by criminal dissident gangs whose sole task is to attempt to murder police officers, we do provide a professional service to the area and our focus on developing this is clear.

As part of this focus we are keen to engage with any person or group that wishes to comment on our way of working.

I would ask those with concerns to address this with us or through their local DPP, which provides a sterling service to communities by properly holding us to account.

Yours

C/Insp Graham Dodds,

Area Commander, Fermanagh.

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 06 Aug 09

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