Following the introduction of COVID-19 regulations, the Policing Board asked its Human Rights Advisor to conduct a review of the PSNI’s response to COVID-19. The overarching aim of this review was to assess and report to the Board on the policing approach to the exercise of new powers alongside any other operational policing decisions taken in response to COVID-19 that have the potential to impact on public confidence in the service as a whole.
The review considered the extent of the application of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 along with the temporary introduction of spit and bite guards, temporary suspension of the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme and health and safety issues for both PSNI and the public.