UVF jail call after riots

I have no intention of entering into a debate with Gary over policing, nevertheless the question must be posed as to exactly what world Gary is living in. Facts speak for themselves, and here I quote a very old saying " "THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND AS THOSE WHO CANNOT SEE" there can be no doubt in anyone's mind that it was Chris Patton who destroyed the RUC at the behest of a weak and cowardly British Government who at the time were endeavouring to do everything in it's power to appease Nationalists and Republicans some of whom were up to their eyes in murder, bombings and terrorist activity. Examine our Stormont Assembly as it is presently constituted, in any man's language is it not a disgrace to the memory of all those murdered in cold blood by terrorists? I make no apology to the likes of Gary ( or any PSNI Officer ) for stating that the PSNI are not capable of lacing the boots of those who proved themselves to be real men and women during over 30 years of what some mistakenly and incorrectly describe as a war, when in point of fact the truth is that it was nothing but a vicious cowardly terrorist campain which cost the lives of hundreds of members of our security forces and thousands of other innocent lives. Thank God the RUC were to the fore in defending Northern Ireland in those terrible days and not the likes of the PSNI who are afraid to attend the scene of a reported crime until at least 48 hours have past. In my book this is very poor and bad policing.

Charlie, I suppose that depends on the crime reported, less serious crimes will naturally be lower down the list now and should be dealt with accordingly, unfortunately that's the way it. But I think it is unfair and inaccurate to say that the present Police don't respond to anything for two days or more. As stated they simply do not have the same numbers working in uniform duties as the RUC had, and are more alike an English county force with regard to numbers. And I think you will find at the height of the troubles many calls went unanswered and did not merit the immediate response as you have described. May I suggest you take off the rose tinted glasses for a while and just get behind the Police instead of continually attacking them.

Sophie, you mention that the RUC was decimated by Patton, but ignore that they were handsomely rewarded (financially) and I believe it was a voluntary severance package so it would appear that money rather than the love of Policing decimated the ranks (they did not have to leave). I woud love to see the statistics, that you clearly have must have viewed, to state that the PSNI fail to live up to the standards of the RUC, can you post these please. You also give the impression that everyone in the PSNI have only just joined, however you may find that there are still a large number of RUC in the PSNI and yet you insult their ability and effort simply because the name has changed. I would have no doubt that Special Branch and TSG officers of today (many ec RUC) would disagree with your view of them. The RUC was a super force but not the be all and end all that you seem to think, have a more balanced look at what they did and did not do and please don't be so dimissive of the current batch of officers.

GARY !! and the other GARY !! Really, surely there can't be two of you. Anyhow to GARY ( The other one) who states -- Quote:- The present batch of PSNI are as brave as the RUC -- Unquote. If this is what you really think Gary, can you explain why it is that when an incident is reported nowadays to the PSNI, in most cases it takes at least 48 hours for them to respond (and in some cases much longer) whereas the RUC would have responded immediately, even at the height of the troubles, can you, hand on heart say that you consider this to be a satisfactory form of policing in today's World? I certainly don't.

Must say I agree with everything that Charlie has stated. It is common knowledge that the PSNI fail to live up to the standards of the R.U.C which was decimated by Chris Patton. Currently the Chief Constable is desperately seeking experienced detectives and officers from wherever he can get them, therefore how can anyone in their right mind compare the PSNI with the brilliant and intelligent men of the RUC Special Branch and The Mobile Support Units of the past. Whilst I very much support the Police there are two things which must be acknowledged. (A) The present PSNI are inexperienced and require better training . ( Not necessarily a college degree ) (B) They do not compare with the very high standards previously set by the RUC. Whilst the question of the inability of the RUC to solve a few historical crimes must be admitted, it must also be admitted that at present the PSNI are incapable of solving everyday simple crime. Take for example what is happening to many of our pensioners in their own homes. An efficient Police Serice should be capable of bringing those who commit such crimes against such people to justice. I leave it with the citizens of Northern Ireland to decide for themselves if this is happening.