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26/03/2014
PAC Critical Of PSNI Use Of Agency Staff
A report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found that the PSNI's use of agency staff "was not robust" with an excessive number of agency staff employed for lengthy periods of time.
The PAC report reveals that since 2004 the police service spent £106m on agency staff.
While the committee agreed that there are sound operational reasons for employing temporary staff in the PSNI, it criticised the lack of accountability of agency workers filling policing roles, with no power for the Police Ombudsman to regulate their conduct.
Chairperson of the Committee, Michaela Boyle MLA said: "This report has identified a number of issues that concerned the Committee. Proper competitive arrangements, which would have ensured value for money, were not put in place until 2008. The current supplier has been in place since 2002, establishing a virtual monopoly in the supply of temporary staff to the PSNI.
"By taking its eye off the ball, the PSNI has spent considerably more than was necessary on agency workers. The Committee received the PSNI's assurance that there is now a "robust, centrally monitored process" for appointing temporary staff. The Committee expects an update report from the Department of Justice to demonstrate that improvements in governance have been delivered, due to processes put into place in 2011."
(MH)
The PAC report reveals that since 2004 the police service spent £106m on agency staff.
While the committee agreed that there are sound operational reasons for employing temporary staff in the PSNI, it criticised the lack of accountability of agency workers filling policing roles, with no power for the Police Ombudsman to regulate their conduct.
Chairperson of the Committee, Michaela Boyle MLA said: "This report has identified a number of issues that concerned the Committee. Proper competitive arrangements, which would have ensured value for money, were not put in place until 2008. The current supplier has been in place since 2002, establishing a virtual monopoly in the supply of temporary staff to the PSNI.
"By taking its eye off the ball, the PSNI has spent considerably more than was necessary on agency workers. The Committee received the PSNI's assurance that there is now a "robust, centrally monitored process" for appointing temporary staff. The Committee expects an update report from the Department of Justice to demonstrate that improvements in governance have been delivered, due to processes put into place in 2011."
(MH)
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