Board seeks Independent Members to join PoIicing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) in new Council areas
The Northern Ireland Policing Board today commenced the process to appoint up to 119 Independent Members to the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) for each of the 11 new Council areas.
Urging people to step forward and get involved, Board Chair Anne Connolly said:
“Most people have a view on how their area is policed and what needs to be done to make communities safer. Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) provide the forum for action plans and measures to be put in place to deal with issues and allow the voices of local people to be heard on policing and community safety matters that impact on everyday lives.
As the result of Local Government Reforms in April 2015, the current 26 PCSP structure will reduce to 11 in line with the new Council model and we are now looking for people who have an interest and involvement in their community to step forward and get involved in the PCSPs.
It is undoubtedly an interesting and varied role as Independent Members will work directly with elected colleagues on the Council to provide oversight of policing locally and with the statutory and voluntary sector and the community to identify and develop local solutions to policing and community safety issues.
Outlining the skills needed to apply for these positions, the Chair continued:
“There are lots of people who already work to improve their area. We are looking for people from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds who can demonstrate an active involvement in their local community, either through their employment or voluntary activity. People applying for these roles should live in, or be able to show they have a close connection with the Council area the PCSP is in.”
Information on how to apply to become a PCSP Independent Member can be found on the Board’s website at www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/pcsprecruitment; phone: 028 9040 8500; by email: pcsp@nipolicingboard.org.uk or write to: PCSP Recruitment, Northern Ireland Policing Board, Waterside Tower, 31 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Belfast, BT1 3BG.
Completed application forms must be returned no later than 5pm on Friday 28 November 2014. Late applications will not be accepted.
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For further information please contact the Policing Board Communications Office on 07801 738795
Notes to Editors
1: PCSP Information Evenings: The advert for PCSP independent members will be carried in daily papers and in online media. A number of Information Evenings will also be held across Northern Ireland. Meetings will be held between 7-9pm at the following locations on:
Date Venue
Tuesday 11 November 2014 Bawnacre Centre, Castle Street IRVINESTOWN
Thursday 13 November 2014 Aurora Centre Aquatic and Leisure Complex, Valentine Road BANGOR
Monday 17 November 2014 Lodge Hotel, Lodge Road Roundabout COLERAINE
Wednesday 19 November 2014 Glenavon Hotel, Drum Road COOKSTOWN
Tuesday 25 November 2014 Banquet Room, Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square BELFAST
2. Role and work of PCSPs: More information on the role and work of PCSPs can be found at http://www.pcsps.org/
PCSPs have a statutory duty to:
· consult and engage with the local community on the issues of concern in relation to policing and community safety. The Policing Committee has a distinct responsibility to provide views to the relevant district commander and the Policing Board on policing matters;
· identify and prioritise the particular issues of concern and prepare plans for how these can be tackled;
· monitor - a Policing Committee comprising the political and independent members will monitor the performance of the police and work to gain the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime; and
· deliver a reduction in crime and enhance community safety in their district, directly through their own interventions, through the work of their delivery groups or through support for the work of others; the Policing Committee will also engage with the public to obtain cooperation with the police in preventing crime and enhancing community safety.
PCSPs comprise membership from a number of different groups. They will have:
· 8, 9 or 10 political members (councillors) nominated by the district council;
· 7, 8 or 9 independent members appointed by the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB); and
· at least 4 representatives of designated organisations which the PCSP will have selected because of the contribution they can make, including any others that might be designated by the Department of Justice.
These posts are not remunerated. The payment of reasonable expense incurred in connection with PCSP member duties is currently under review.
Notes to editors ends