Police apology over Drumawill no go decision

Editorial Department • Published 16 Feb 2012 13:00

A senior police officer has had to apologise after a duty sergeant stopped officers from attending an incident involving young people in Drumawill Park in Enniskillen for fear of their safety.

On Saturday January 14 police were informed that youths had lifted a barrier from the side of the road and were carrying it through a local estate. PSNI communications in Omagh were advised and the duty sergeant in Enniskillen phoned the caller back at 8.15pm.

He stated police could not attend as he had to consider the safety of his officers and referred to a Fire Service appliance being damaged as a result of a hoax call in another estate the previous weekend.

The issue was raised at last week's meeting of the District Policing Partnership by Rosemary Forde on behalf of a member of the public. Inspector Roy Robinson said "it shouldn't have happened" and told members of the DPP that the sergeant in question had only been there "a matter of days", had no local knowledge of the area, and wasn't even from the area.

He described it as "unfortunate", and added: "I apologise, it shouldn't have happened".

Inspector Robinson said it was also "unfortunate" that the sergeant was "on when that call came in", explaining that the officer he was deputising for was on the other side of the world on "a long holiday".

He said police "will respond to all calls in Fermanagh" and stated the officer "has learned his lesson".

The Inspector added: "I have had a developmental conversation with him around this matter. We endeavour to attend all call safely to ensure the community receive the service expected. Can I emphasise to the members that police will response to every call in Fermanagh".

The member of the public who raised the issue, commented: "This is the first complaint I have ever made".

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Feb 12

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