[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Friday, 1 December 2006, 06:49 GMT
Equal support for PSNI Ombudsman
Nual O'Loan
Nuala O'Loan said she was pleased by the findings
An independent survey has suggested Protestants and Catholics are equally supportive of the Police Ombudsman.

More than four out of five people questioned from both communities also believed that police officers and complainants would be treated fairly.

The findings show a marked increase in support among Protestants compared with previous years.

Catholic confidence in the Office also remains high, with 84% believing that the Office helps police do a good job.

The figure for Catholics who believe the Office is impartial though, is down from a high of 84% two years ago to 73%.

'Treated fairly'

More than 1,100 people took part in the survey, which is conducted annually by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan said: "I'm pleased that, according to these findings, the Police Ombudsman's Office is providing a service which the majority of people in Northern Ireland recognise as independent, impartial and fair to both members of the public and police officers."

Meanwhile, a survey of police officers investigated by the Police Ombudsman's Office, suggests 85% believe they have been treated fairly by the office.

Almost 400 officers investigated by the Police Ombudsman responded to a survey.

It suggested 98% of surveyed officers believed Police Ombudsman investigators had been polite, 95% thought they had acted professionally, 91% thought they were impartial and 90% said they had been knowledgeable.

The findings said 73% were satisfied or very satisfied with the way they had been treated by the office, compared to 11% who expressed dissatisfaction.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit


Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific