The Northern Ireland Policing Board has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2019-20, which contains an overview of the work of the Board and an assessment of the performance of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) during the period 1 April 2019-31 March 2020.
Writing in the Report’s foreword, Board Chair Doug Garrett reflects on the progress made over the last year including publication of the Corporate Plan 2020-23 and Policing Plan 2020-25 and key appointments progressed. Mr Garrett also records Board support for investment in neighbourhood policing, PSNI resourcing and modernisation plans for the PSNI. He said:
“As we have seen across the world in recent times, the importance of having a democratically accountable police service is vitally important. It is clear that effective oversight remains key to ensuring and building public confidence in the delivery of policing to the people of Northern Ireland. This view was also reinforced in the published response to Local Policing Review Consultation which refocused Board attention on the need to invest resources in neighbourhood policing.
The Board fully supported the Chief Constable in his bid to increase police numbers from circa 6,900 to 7,500 and whilst this increase was committed to by parties in the New Decade New Deal document, there has to date been no confirmation that funding will be provided to secure this officer uplift. The Board will continue to advocate for the additional resource to increase police numbers, and for new approaches to local policing with community engagement at its core.
Since appointment in July 2019, the Chief Constable has put a significant focus on opportunities to transform and modernise aspects of police service delivery The Board welcomes this and has been working with him on plans and associated resourcing implications.
Over the reporting period the Board has also been working to bring stability to the PSNI leadership team with the appointment of the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constables. A review was also completed of the structure needed to ensure the PSNI senior team was best placed to meet future demands on the service and drive transformational plans. We will move forward to appoint a number of Senior Civilian Staff and to build and develop a cohesive and effective senior leadership team with a shared vision, values and purpose to deliver excellence in policing.
Whilst we continue to work to improve policing for the benefit of the community, sadly we have seen a continuation of attacks on officers and members of the public by criminal gangs styling themselves as paramilitary groups. Such attacks are unjustified and unjustifiable. We must continue to work to apprehend those who threaten our safety and work with the police to assist them in bringing to justice those who wish to cause harm.
The last few months have undoubtedly brought unseen challenges for policing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for police to support the decisions of the Northern Ireland Executive. This has brought a spotlight to decisions made and tactics used by the PSNI and the Board quickly adapted how it carried out its oversight of the PSNI in the context of COVID-19. This has involved frequent, open and effective contact with the Chief Constable about the PSNI preparedness for the day-to-day management of policing at this time. For this reason, the Board agreed to progress a review of the policing approach and the Board’s Human Rights Advisor is currently progressing this.
New situations require new responses and oversight of policing becomes even more relevant in these times when additional powers are given to the PSNI. The Board is committed to listening and learning to improve the use of police powers and wider policing services.”
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For further information please contact the Board’s Communications Office on 028 90408541
1. A copy of the Report can be found on the Board’s website at:www.nipolicingboard.org.uk
2. The Board’s Annual Report and Accounts together with the Certificate and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for the period 1 April 2019- 31 March 2020 was laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly in accordance with paragraph 16 of schedule 1 to the Police (NI) Act 2000 as amended by the Police (NI) Act 2003 and Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 on 13 October 2020.
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