Chamber calls for "World class Policing and Justice Ministry"

The President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce says that having a local Minister for Policing and Justice "could create a deeper acceptance that laws to protect people are our laws - they are not imposed from afar.  That has the potential to create a new attitude and culture towards crime," said Mr Jim Sammon, who was speaking on the occasion of the Chamber's first visit today from PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott.  

"We encourage the political parties to seize the opportunity now to build a world class Policing and Justice Ministry.  Policing and Justice are integral to creating a healthy social and economic environment. Our local economy needs business and healthy businesses depend on healthy communities," he added.  .

Mr Sammon told the Chief Constable that the Chamber "supports you and your officers in delivering good and effective policing.  The PSNI has made radical changes.  We know that the service will continue to evolve and improve. "

Chief Constable Matt Baggott, visiting the City at the invitation of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce addressed an audience of over 100 key business leaders and said, "the current financial situation is one that affects us all, be it in the private or public sector.   However, the challenges faced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland provide us with an opportunity to re-prioritise what we are aiming to achieve as a service, with a focus upon what matters to local communities, issues of serious harm and a relentless pursuit of value for money in everything we do.  This will, of course, involve building upon the legacy of Patten, but preparing for a future in a devolved environment." 

He continued, "I believe the devolution of policing and justice is a key development as we strive to deliver a personal, professional and protective policing service to the people of Northern Ireland.  This agreement will provide us with the increased financial assistance required to plan for the future and will better enable us to move forward  with certainty as an organisation."

The sponsors of the business lunch were Grafton ESP, the HR specialist division of the Grafton Employment Group.  They said they were "delighted to be involved as a partner with the PSNI and the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce at this prestigious event during what is a ground breaking moment in Northern Ireland politics".

Speaking after the event, the Chamber President said the lunch "had a distinctly business and private sector focus and it was clear that guests appreciated the honest and transparent insight into the business of policing."