Originally published at National Catholic Register
In a statement, the Catholic Police Officer Guild of Northern Ireland said: ‘We are deeply concerned by reports of internal sectarianism.’
Four former police officers have taken legal action against the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for anti-Catholic discrimination. The PSNI is the third-largest police force in the United Kingdom.
The cases come 23 years after the force was established to create a new start for policing after years of controversies related to alleged discrimination.
The PSNI was established in 2001 following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
One of the officers taking legal action spoke to the Belfast Telegraph on condition of anonymity. “Sean,” who joined the force at the outset and who has now left and is suing his former employer, said: “If I were talking to [a] new recruit, I would have to say, think long and hard about it; long and hard — especially if you’re a Roman Catholic officer, because there’s so much baggage.”
His attorney, Kevin Winters of KRW LAW, said: “This wasn’t an easy decision for ‘Sean’ to make given the well-documented difficulties he experienced throughout his time in front-line policing. However, on balance, he feels compelled to take this case
