Police officers switching forces

Officers from the PSNI and the Irish police have switched forces

Two police officers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have switched forces on temporary placements, it has been announced.

The exchange scheme is part of policing reform measures introduced in Northern Ireland and follows the signing of joint policing protocols last February.

The two officers have not been named or details of their duties released.

Joe Stewart, head of human resources with the PSNI, said both forces would benefit from the scheme.

Under the initiative, any officer from the PSNI reporting for duty within the Garda Siochana remains under the control of the chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde, and will not exercise police powers within the Irish Republic.

Uniforms

However, if they move into the Republic of Ireland on secondment, they would wear the uniform of the Garda Siochana and have the same powers as Garda officers, working under the control of the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.

The same rules apply to officers transferring to Northern Ireland on exchange placements, which can last for up to a year, and on secondments, which can run for up to three years.

"Officers within the police service already benefit from an exceptionally close working relationship with their colleagues in An Garda Siochana and this special relationship can only be enhanced by these opportunities," Mr Stewart said.

"We have been working on the development of this scheme for a number of months and I am delighted to see it reach fruition."