Ulster Unionist Policing spokesperson Ross Hussey has welcomed the news that the Government has finally agreed to provide funding to build a Police Museum, at Police Headquarters in Belfast.
The West Tyrone MLA said:
“The setting up of a Police Museum has long been an aim of the RUC George Cross Foundation and I wholeheartedly welcome today’s news that Treasury has finally agreed to provide £5.5 million to fund one.
‘It will tell the story of Policing in this part of the world from 1814 and the foundation of the Royal Irish Constabulary – predating London’s Metropolitan Police by 15 years – right up to the present day. I have no doubt that the new museum will be a fitting tribute to the bravery and service of the men and women of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and recount faithfully the role which they played in preserving the peace in this society and the debt we owe each and every one of them.”
‘The proposed site at PSNI Headquarters in Brooklyn in east Belfast is the most obvious place to tell the story of Policing in Northern Ireland, and the timing of the announcement - in this the 90th Anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary – is also most appropriate.
‘I am particularly pleased that the new museum will give prominence to the oral history project and allow former RUC Officers to recount their experience of holding the line throughout the period of the Troubles. Their stories must be heard and acknowledged and this this is the ideal setting, beside the RUC GC Memorial Garden.”
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