General Policing Issues

 

 

 

 

Norrie Flowers

Chairman

Scottish Police Federation

nflowers@scottishpolicefederation.org.uk

 

 

 

21 November 2005

 

 

 

Dear Member of Parliament

 

The brutal murder of Sharon Beshenivsky and attempted murder of Teresa Millburn reminds us all of the real dangers faced by police officers and has re-opened the debate on the appropriate sentence for the murder of a police officer. The Scottish Police Federation's present policy is that capital punishment should be the penalty for the murder of a police officer, but, in the absence of capital punishment, life imprisonment should mean for the remainder of the offender's life.

 

Our attention has been drawn to the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill which is due to receive its second reading in Parliament this week. We understand that if the legislation is passed, terrorists who have murdered but have not been tried or who have escaped before trial will be dealt with administratively. In effect they will have a conviction but will be spared any penalty. We also understand that these murderers will not even be required to appear at this quasi-judicial special tribunal.

 

We acknowledge the special circumstances of Northern Ireland but we are wholly opposed to this proposed legislation. It is an insult to natural justice and to victims and their families.

 

We fully agree with our colleagues in Northern Ireland who are sceptical that proposed exclusions for those who present a danger to the public will be robustly enforced. All of the evidence points to the likelihood that once again political expediency will take precedence over the fundamental legal requirement to bring criminals to justice.

 

The Scottish Police Federation has grave reservations that this aspect of the Bill will advance the peace process. We ask that you re-consider this issue and justice for the families of victims.

 

Yours sincerely

   

Norrie Flowers

Chairman