The Northern Ireland Police Servic remains higher paid than any police force in Britain. The average annual earnings for rank and file officers is approximately £36,500 or £700 per week. This includes a special allowance of £1,900 to meet the needs of policing Northern Ireland.
Over here the ``English Bobby'' of comparable status would have to work their way through the rank of Constable Sergeant, Inspector and Chief Inspector to earn such wages. The yearly policing budget for Northern Ireland is a staggering £600 million and it provides not only a luxurious lifestyle for its members but also the most modern methods and equipment to protect them from all types of attack.

27 serving police officers were charged with the murders of catholics and membership of the UVF/UFF and Red Hand Commando.

Their hate of the nationalist community in Northern Ireland is well known. The Northern Ireland police have been found guilty on sixteen ocassions in the European courts of human justice.


But the most illuminating insight into the political characteristics of the force came from an academic, Graham Ellison, who conducted extensive interviews with constables. He found that deep seated sectarianism and anti-Catholic bias is rife among personnel. Many support loyalist marchers. All had absolute hostility towards Catholic members of the force and Catholic neighbourhoods.

Maybe there has to be a few changes before nationalists trust them, it's not black and white.