Increased Security Concerns Following Bomb at Police Station
A bomb detonated at a police station has intensified security concerns among civilians employed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), according to their union representative.
Tracey Godfrey, who has served with the police for 42 years, stated that the explosion at Dunmurry PSNI Station brought back memories of working during the Troubles.
She noted that it was a civilian contractor, rather than a police officer, who first raised the alarm after the bomb was left at the station inside a hijacked car on Saturday night.
Despite the incident, Godfrey emphasized that police officers, civilians, and contractors must remain vigilant and continue their duties.
"My heart just sank... especially whenever I saw the footage of the car exploding," she told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.
"It just takes me back to working through the Troubles. It does trigger those memories for you and it does make you more fearful."
In addition to her role as a civilian staff member, Godfrey also serves as the departmental secretary for the PSNI within the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (Nipsa) union.
She described the Dunmurry bomb as "an attack on the whole community."
"And please don't forget that police and police staff, our contractors, are part of that community as well," Godfrey added.
Civilian Workers Play a Vital Role
The PSNI employs over 6,300 police officers and more than 2,000 civilian staff members.
These civilian employees perform various functions including answering 999 emergency calls, assisting with crime prevention, managing communications, and conducting photography.
"We play a very important role in policing," Godfrey stated.
"We're all integral, we're one 'Team PSNI'. Everybody plays a part."
Concerns Over Potential Targeting of Staff
Following the Dunmurry bombing, the PSNI indicated that dissident republicans were believed to be responsible for the attack.
In a statement to the Irish News on Tuesday, the New IRA claimed responsibility for the bomb and issued threats of further attacks targeting the homes of PSNI employees.
"You always know in the back of your mind you have to be vigilant and that there is a possibility of you being singled out for some kind of violence," Godfrey said.
"You do push it to the back of your mind, and this has just brought it all to the fore to be quite honest."
During the Troubles, over 300 members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the predecessor to the PSNI, were killed in attacks.
"I have 42 years' service, so things have changed dramatically over the years," Godfrey remarked.
"But attacks on the Police Service are still there - you still have to remind people to check under their cars, check your routes.
"And I suppose the new factor – well, fairly new from whenever I started work - is social media."
To address the ongoing threat, Godfrey explained that PSNI civilian staff have access to the same support services provided to police officers by their employer.
"We do feel well protected but it's hard to protect against an unknown entity," she admitted.
"You have to be vigilant and carry on as you always have done, trying to have a personal life as well as a professional life."
