§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the composition by gender and perceived community origin of the(a) RUC Special Branch and (b) RUC Criminal Investigation Department. [123956]
§ Mr. IngramThe following table details the current composition by gender and perceived community background of the RUC Special Branch and RUC Criminal Investigation Department:
Special Branch CID Male 739 886 Female 88 150 Perceived Protestant 762 898 Perceived Roman Catholic 54 98 Undetermined 21 40 It should be noted that these figures include all police officers in both Departments, unlike the answers given on 10 February 2000, Official Report, column 239W, and on 11 February 2000, Official Report, column 322W, which only stipulated the number of officers with detective status in RUC Special Branch and CID.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the process of selection and entry requirement for officers to serve in the(a) RUC Special Branch and (b) RUC Criminal Investigation Department. [123955]
§ Mr. IngramVacancies in the ranks of Constable to Inspector are circulated throughout the force in accordance with force orders. Applicants, who must have completed their probationary period, are required to complete an application form and receive a line manager's recommendation before being interviewed by a selection panel consisting of officers of at least Chief Inspector rank, one of whom is from the specialism involved. The Chairman of the panel is always from outside the specialism. Successful candidates undergo a one-year aideship and only on successful completion will an appointment to the branches be made permanent. Appointments at the ranks of Chief Inspector and above are the responsibility of Force Command, advised by Personnel Branch, who consider the number of vacancies and the policing experience of potential appointees before making recommendations.