Given the high profile policing operations over the summer, in particular Avoniel, New Lodge and the Apprentice Boys parade in Londonderry, the Partnership Committee would like to ask the Chief Constable to:
(i) Outline the level of PSNI planning and engagement with statutory organisations and community organisations prior to these operations occurring;
(ii) What policing lessons have been learned from these operations and the communications approach taken?
(iii) What strategies will the PSNI now implement to address some of the concerns expressed about the policing response? And
(iv) How will these strategies shape the type of interventions delivered in the medium and longer term?
In Belfast PSNI bonfire engagement for events during the 2019 calendar year commenced in January 2019.
Police in Belfast were represented at the Community Initiative Group, with meetings commencing 8th January. This group is independently chaired and is attended by community representatives from across Belfast, representatives of other statutory organisations and the Executive Office.
PSNI also contributed to the Executive Office liaison group on bonfires, which met approximately monthly. The group was focussed on bonfires within the Belfast City Council area with potential to consider wider issues. Membership also included; The Executive Office, Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure, Department for Justice, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, and Belfast City Council.
As the date of potential events approached, the frequency of bonfire related engagement gained pace. Local police officers were simultaneously engaging with local people and local representatives in communities regarding bonfire related issues. Police also met on several occasions with some statutory agencies in their capacity as landowners.
Prior to a planned police operation planning meetings take place to consider information, intelligence, resources, risks, criminal justice, communications and engagement for example. The planning process will identify mitigation against risk in order to offer the best chance to deliver the desired outcome.
In Derry/Londonderry the Engagement Strategy replicated strong, established, practices which have taken place across the years in Derry City and Strabane which have delivered positive parading outcomes. Parties to this engagement include event organisers, residents groups, voluntary and statutory agencies
(ii) What policing lessons have been learned from these operations and the communications approach taken?
At the conclusion of policing operations such as those referred to, feedback from police officers and staff involved is sought regarding what went well, what did not go well and what could be improved on in the future. Feedback and lessons learnt inform future planning and operations. An internal de-brief on bonfires in Belfast is scheduled to take place that will consider all of the feedback from all bonfire related actions during 2019 and also the need for earlier notice of action. Communications will be considered within the debrief.
Police are also contributing to a wider debrief process chaired by the Executive Office, scheduled for early September.
In Derry/Londonderry, police continue to engage with representatives and politicians to determine what lessons can be learned to inform planning for future events. These meetings are ongoing.
In all of the situations significant feedback has been received from communities, political representatives and other bodies. This feedback will be used to inform future planning in terms of what actions we take and how those actions are carried out.
Arrangements are in hand to hold a service wide operational debrief.
(iii) What strategies will the PSNI now implement to address some of the concerns expressed about the policing response?
The PSNI has already reflected upon the feedback received and this has informed operations undertaken in recent weeks. Our overall response will be considered pending the findings from the debrief sessions and the results will be used to inform the Gold strategy for future events. We are acutely aware of the need to be seen to be fair and impartial in our use of police powers and tactics
(iv) How will these strategies shape the type of interventions delivered in the medium and longer term?
Our entire strategy is based upon the Human Rights principles of lawfulness, proportionality, necessity and legitimate purpose. The review of the operations is against these principles. A key element arising from this summer is the necessity and proportionality of the police response. These elements will be reviewed and will inform future operations to try and ensure a consistent, accountable and impartial response. However, it is also important to understand that every operational response must be based upon the individual circumstances and the prevailing context.
We want to listen to feedback from the community, statutory partners and landowners to inform how we could best support requests in relation to bonfires in the future. We will seek to ensure that lawful business activity can take place and that positive relationships between police, communities and partners are maintained. In this, we will also consider good practice evidence from elsewhere, for example around protest liaison.
We are committed to supporting all interested parties in identifying and delivering a holistic, community based, solution to the issues raised by bonfires and parades. We will continue to engage with all parties to parading to ensure a "no surprises" approach and to explain police decision making in a timely manner.