Policing
What is the Patten Report?
The Belfast Agreement stated the need for a “new beginning to policing” and Independent Commission to make recommendations for future policing arrangements in Northern Ireland.
The Terms of Reference of the Independent Commission is set out in Annex 1 of the Patten Report.
This Commission, chaired by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten, reported in September 1999. The Patten Report made 175 recommendations ranging across all aspects of policing.
What has been done to implement the recommendations?
The Government has published an Implementation Plan and Updated Implementation Plan to show progress made in taking forward the Patten Report. Two major Police Acts have also been taken through Parliament. Moreover all the accountability arrangements recommended by Patten are in place, including the Policing Board, the Ombudsman, District Policing Partnerships and the Oversight Commissioner.
Who was the Oversight Commissioner?
Al Hutchinson took up the position of Police Oversight Commissioner in January 2004, replacing Tom Constantine.
On 25th February 2005, the Secretary of State announced that the role of the Oversight Commissioner was to be extended for a further 2 years until the end of May 2007 with Al Hutchinson remaining in the role. The appointment ended on 31 May 2007.
What was the role of the Oversight Commissioner?
The role of the Oversight Commissioner was created as a result of the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland. The Commissioner’s role is to oversee the implementation of the changes in policing arrangements and structures recommended in the context of the Patten Report and to report on progress publicly.
Who did the Commissioner report to?
Although totally independent, the Commissioner reports to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who is required to lay each report in Parliament.
Who is responsible for Policing in Northern Ireland?
Policing in Northern Ireland, as in England and Wales, is largely governed by the “tripartite structure” involving the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Policing Board and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The detailed provisions for this arrangement are set out in the Police (NI) Act 2000 as amended by the Police (NI) Act 2003. Other bodies such as the Ombudsman and District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) also play an important role.
What is the Policing Board?
Patten recommended the creation of a new cross-community Policing Board to replace the Police Authority of Northern Ireland. The new Policing Board began on 4 November 2001. It holds the Chief Constable and the police service publicly to account. It has a key role in ensuring the provision of a fully effective police service, which will enjoy the support of all sections of the community. The Board is made up of 19 members of whom 10 were originally nominated as political members and 9 appointed by the Secretary of State.
Who are the members of the Policing Board?
The members are as follows:
Alex Attwood, Viscount Brookeborough, Denis Bradley (Vice Chairman), Joe Byrne, Fred Cobain, Brian Dougherty, Sam Foster, Barry Gilligan, William Hay, Tom Kelly, Lord Kilclooney, Pauline McCabe, Alan McFarland, Eddie McGrady, Rosaleen Moore, Ian Paisley Jnr, Professor Desmond Rea (Chairman), Suneil Sharma, Sammy Wilson.
What is a District Policing Partnership (DPP)?
Patten recommended that each District Council area should establish a District Policing Partnership (DPP) whose membership should consist of both elected and independent representatives. There are currently 26 DPPs set up in council areas throughout Northern Ireland.
A DPP is a partnership between the District Council and representatives of the local community. The purpose of a DPP is:
- To identify local policing issues;
- To establish policing priorities for the local policing plan in conjunction with the District Commander.
- The DPP will monitor police performance against the policing plan.
- A key responsibility of a DPP is to develop a practical way of gaining the public’s co-operation in working with the police to prevent crime and protect the public.
What are the links between the Policing Board and the DPPs (District Policing Partnerships)
The DPPs’ independent members are appointed by the Policing Board. These groups are responsible for monitoring the performance of police at a local level. Each DPP reports annually to the Board. Three-quarters of the funding reasonably incurred by the council in that year in connection with the establishment of, or the exercise of functions by, a DPP is granted by the Board.
Can I attend a DPP Meeting?
Yes, DPPs hold regular meetings in public. Arrangements for these are advertised in local press and elsewhere.
What is 50-50 Recruitment?
Patten recommended that once all candidates for the PSNI had reached the required standard on merit, they should go into a pool from which an equal number of Catholic and non-Catholic recruits should be drawn. It applies both to the recruitment of trainee constables and to civilian police support staff posts where there are at least 6 vacancies.
2441 recruits have already been appointed to the PSNI on a 50:50 basis since April 2002. Applications from the Roman Catholic community have remained constant at around 35%. The overall proportion of Catholics in the Regulars has already risen from 8.3% to 20.79% - the target is to increase it to 30% by 2010/11.
What help is given to police families affected by terrorism?
In response to a Patten recommendation the Police Fund was set up to help injured police officers, injured retired officers and their families as well as police widows. The Police Fund is an independent fund administered by 7 Directors appointed by the Secretary of State. The Fund has non-charitable status.
Police families have access to a range of assistance including Police Welfare Branch, Benevolent Fund, Police Federation, Police Dependants Trust, Memorial Fund, Disabled Police Officers Association, Widows Association and other organisations, including the Police Service itself.
Any member of the ‘police family’ directly affected by terrorism can look to the Police Fund for assistance.
What are Baton Rounds and how are they monitored?
Baton rounds were introduced into service in the 1970s replacing the earlier rubber bullets. They are available for use across UK police forces and have been fired on over 30 occasions in England and Wales. The use of baton rounds is avoided except where there is an immediate threat of loss of life or serious injury. The Ombudsman prepares a detailed report on every discharge of a baton round in Northern Ireland.
Is there an alternative to Baton Rounds?
Patten noted the desirability of discontinuing the use of baton rounds but could not recommend an effective alternative. A UK-wide Steering Group is conducting a substantial research programme aimed at finding an acceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternative to the baton round. The Steering Group has produced the following reports:
Phase 4 Report
Phase 3 Report
Phase 2 Report
Phase 1 Report
The Steering Group includes members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; the Association of Chief Police Officers (and the Scottish Association); the Police Scientific Development Branch; the Home Office; the Ministry of Defence; the Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory, HMIC and the Northern Ireland Office.
Following the Bichard Inquiry what plans are in place in Northern Ireland to reform employment checking arrangements?
On 22 June 2004, the Secretary of State announced the formation of a multi-departmental project team to reform arrangements for employment checking in Northern Ireland. The Employment Checking Reform Implementation Team (ECRIT), was formally established in July 2004 and aims to deliver a reformed criminal record checking service by late 2005.
