As part of the process to develop the Northern Ireland Policing Plan, the Policing Board is undertaking an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the 2015-16 Plan and today commences a wider public consultation which will focus on identifying policing priorities for the 2016-19 period.
Speaking about the consultation process, Board Chair Anne Connolly said:
“Developing the annual Policing Plan is a key statutory role for the Board as it sets the strategic policing priorities and objectives for the period ahead and includes targets and measures for the PSNI to achieve.
It is important that the Plan reflects community needs and we are keen to reach and engage with as many people as possible to hear views. We want to find out not just about the impact of the 2015-16 Plan in respect of equality legislation, but also feedback on what the policing priorities should be for the next 3 years.
It is of course a challenging time for policing, particularly given the pressures on resources. This makes it even more important to effectively identify what the police need to do and where police activity should be focused across communities to keep people safe.
I would encourage everyone to take this opportunity to help shape policing in the coming years, be it as a member of the public, community group or voluntary organisation. Your views count and we want to hear them.”
The consultation process will include an online questionnaire, targeted meetings, a series of focus groups and a public meeting. Information on how to respond to the EQIA consultation report and completing the online survey can be found on the Board’s website.
The public meeting will be held in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Islandview Room, Oxford Island, Craigavon, BT66 6NJ on Wednesday 17 June 2015 from 7pm.
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For more information please contact the Policing Board’s Communications Office on 07801738795.
Notes to Editors
- The 2015-16 Policing Plan: The 2015-16 Policing Plan is produced in accordance with the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. It is prepared by the Chief Constable, agreed and published by the Policing Board following consultation with the Minister of Justice.
- Copies of the Policing Plan and the EQIA consultation documents are available from the Board’s website or by contacting the Board at the address below. The Board is keen to ensure that the document is accessible to all interested parties and will be made available in other formats on request. Responses must be received no later than 5pm on 31 July 2015 and should be sent by email to policingplan@nipolicingboard.org.uk or in writing to Policing Plan EQIA Consultation, Northern Ireland Policing Board, Waterside Tower, 31 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Belfast BT1 3BG.
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