Police chiefs meet for conference

The global sharing of intelligence on terrorism was being discussed in Belfast today among police chiefs from across the world who have gathered for one of the most prestigious international policing conferences.

More than 230 delegates have gathered for the 21st International Association of Chiefs of Police European Executive Policing Conference.

It is the first time the Police Service of Northern Ireland has hosted the conference which has drawn senior police officers and security chiefs to the North for the three day gathering.

The conference with the theme “The Challenge of Progressive Policing” will involve debate on current policing issues on an international level, the shaping of policing policy and best practice in modern and progressive policing.

With al-Qaida attacks at the forefront of everyone’s minds, Jens Henrik Hojbjerg, deputy director of Europol, is to address delegates on the issue of developing more efficient sharing of intelligence in response to and in the prevention of terrorist acts.

The conference is being opened by PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde.

Delegates have travelled from the US and Canada, South America, Russia, South Africa, the UAE and many countries across Europe.

A top French officer is addressing the conference on public disorder management and Alan McQuillan, head of the Northern Ireland division of the UK’s Assets Recovery Agency is speaking about tackling organised crime.