Patten intent remains on course says Constantine

Northern Ireland's policing institutions "are moving expeditiously to fulfill the intent of the Patten Commission".

This is according to the ninth report released today by The Oversight Commissioner for Policing Reform, Tom Constantine, which detailed progress made on implementing recommendations of the Patten Commission.

In his final report as Overgight Commissioner Mr Constantine said excellent progress had been made in the areas of human rights-based approach to policing, a sophisticated and transparent system of accountability, the establishment of District Command Units and District Policing Partnerships, and improved methods of public order policing.

He also praised the success of the 50:50 employment policy adopted by the PSNI to ensure a workforce more representative of the Northern Ireland population.

In addition, with the support of the Policing Board, the District Command Units and the District Policing Partnerships, Mr Constantine said the Police Service had initiated a crucial strategy which had seen the devolution of decision making authority to a cadre of talented and dedicated District Commanders, which in turn supports the PSNI's new philosophy of policing with the community.

Commenting on his report, Mr Constantine said: “When I took up the post of Oversight Commissioner, the enormity of the task facing the Police Service of Northern Ireland was daunting. No Police Service anywhere in the world has ever embarked upon such a comprehensive change programme.

“It has become increasingly apparent that the Patten Commission not only identified the critical areas that needed reform, but proposed solutions that are clearly representative of 'best practice' in policing."

However, not all parts of Patten had made suitable progress, Mr Constantine said. These include the condition of many police stations and other police facilities and the establishment of a new Police College. The lack of progress on a training college “the police service deserves” is an area that has continued to frustrate the Oversight Commissioner throughout his term, he said.

Mr Constantine was also critical of changes made in the restructuring of Special Branch, "which can adversely impact the public’s perception of success in the overall programme of police reform". However, the Oversight Commissioner said he had now received a detailed restructuring plan for Special Branch that, although not yet fully evaluated, appeared to be well thought out and represented a good first step in implementing the intent of the Patten Commission.

Commenting on the overall progress, Mr. Constantine concluded: "There is good reason for optimism that all of the Patten recommendations will be fully implemented within a reasonable time frame. I am confident that the new Oversight Commissioner and his team will continue with a rigorous programme of oversight until May of 2005.”

(MB)