PSNI Chief Constable criticised for "offensive" Christmas Day tweet

Q Radio News

The PSNI's Chief Constable says he understands a social media post he made on Christmas day has 'caused some emotion'.
  
Simon Byrne tweeted an image of himself posing alongside officers armed with machine guns.

The picture was taken during a visit to Crossmaglen Police Station in Co Armagh.

SDLP councillor Peter Byrne says people who live in the area are hurt and offended..

A PSNI spokesperson told Q Radio the Chief Constable is happy to meet with any community or political representative who has a positive contribution to make about local policing matters. 
 

On Christmas morning great to meet the team policing Crossmaglen @PSNINMDown I take my hat off to colleagues policing such a unique part of @PoliceServiceNI Their sense of duty & optimism is inspiring. Stay safe and thank you . pic.twitter.com/2Bj4bV9d48

— Simon Byrne (@ChiefConPSNI) December 25, 2019

Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy branded the post as "offensive". 

“On Christmas morning, as the community in South Armagh were celebrating the festivities, the Chief Constable Simon Byrne posed with heavily armed members of the PSNI at Crossmaglen Police Station.

“Further, in the text of the social media post the Chief Constable stated that policing in this area was ‘unique’ for the PSNI.

“This post by the Chief Constable is offensive to the local community and utterly unacceptable. It has only served to further undermine the public confidence in the PSNI within South Armagh.

“The heavily armed officers posing with the Chief Constable is reflective of the militaristic style of policing that the community in South Armagh has had to endure in recent years.

“This community is no different to any other, any attempt to differentiate the style of policing has not and will not be tolerated.

“As new Chief Constable Simon Byrne should have sought to address issues which have eroded the local community’s confidence in the PSNI in South Armagh, but this escapade has shown an intention to do anything but.   

“We need a new chapter for policing in South Armagh. 

“We need an end to fortress police stations, heavily armed officers and poor response levels. 

“We need a police service that serves the interests of this community in an efficient, effective and respectful manner.

“This community not only deserves nothing less, but will accept nothing less.”

SDLP Councillor Pete Byrne has sought an urgent meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable following the social media post. 

“While many families across South Armagh were waking up, opening presents and enjoying their Christmas morning, they were hurt and offended to see a Twitter post from the PSNI Chief Constable, featuring officers with heavy weaponry on show," he said.  

"This isn’t an ill judged tweet, the wording appears to be a deliberate attempt to set Crossmaglen and South Armagh as a place apart." 

"A lot of work has been done in recent years to build community relations with the PSNI locally. An example would be the co-operation between the PSNI and Crossmaglen Community First Responders to assist with call outs.

"While we all appreciate police officers and other emergency services working on Christmas Day, questions must be asked about the nature of this post.

"Language and images like this flies in the face of the positive work that has been achieved. 

“I have sought an urgent meeting with the Chief Constable to explain.”

A PSNI spokesperson told Q Radio the Chief Constable "is happy to meet with any community or political representative who has a positive contribution to make about local policing matters". 

Please see my statement below following the response to my Christmas Day tweet from Crossmaglen. pic.twitter.com/adkbhEuZ6u

— Simon Byrne (@ChiefConPSNI) December 26, 2019