RUC counselling 'ahead of time'

Hugh Orde says proper treatment is the answer for officers suffering stress

The RUC was ahead of its time in providing help to officers suffering trauma, a Belfast court has been told.

The claim was made on day two of an action by 5,000 former and serving officers suing the chief constable.

A lawyer representing the police service in the civil action said "the essence of the officers' case is that the RUC did too little too late".

"The truth of the matter is that the RUC did more and did it sooner than any other police force in the UK."

The legal action is over trauma the officers said they suffered during the Troubles.

Tens of millions of pounds in compensation could be paid out by the government if their case is successful.

However, Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said money was not the solution to stress suffered by police officers.

"Money may not be the solution, the solution is to make sure these people are properly treated," Sir Hugh said.

'Failed to diagnose'

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show earlier on Tuesday, he said the PSNI's "occupational health system, is without doubt the best in the United Kingdom, because we still have officers we ask to face extreme dangers".

He said the action was being taken against an organisation which has "moved on".

Officers are delivering, are reducing crime and if a fifth of them were not team players that would not be the case Sir Hugh Orde

About 2,000 serving officers are among those taking the case.

The claimants say the police service failed to diagnose or treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

The chief constable said if officers were suffering from stress to the extent where they should not be on the streets then they would not be.

He dismissed suggestions that the 2,000 serving officers taking part in the case were "compromised".

"Officers are delivering, are reducing crime and if a fifth of them were not team players that would not be the case," Sir Hugh said.