Board Appoints New Independent Members To PCSPs

The Northern Ireland Policing Board today commenced the process to appoint 237 Independent Members to the new Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) across the 26 Council areas.

PCSPs are new statutory bodies established under the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to help make communities safer. These new partnerships will bring together within a single partnership the functions and responsibilities currently undertaken by District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs).

Urging people to apply for what is a unique role, Board Chair Brian Rea said: “PCSPs aim to make a real difference to the community in which they are based, making people feel safer. Independent PCSP Members will play an important role in maintaining public confidence in policing and ensuring that the voices of local people are heard on a range of issues.

"Over the last number of years both DPPs and CSPs have worked hard for communities, however there are some areas where improvements can be made for the benefit of the community. The new PCSPs will help us do that and both the Board and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are working to make sure that these new partnerships deliver for local communities."

Independent Members of PCSPs will work with their elected colleagues, 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, Mr Rea continued: "We are looking for people who can demonstrate an interest in their local community and have an understanding of community safety or community policing issues, 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."

(CD/GK)