Menu
01/05/2002
Commissioner’s report finds police revamp falls short of target
Plans for the reorganisation of Special Branch do not appear to have met targets set out by Patten according to the American Oversight Commissioner Tom Constantine.
Mr Constantine, who is charged with overseeing police reform made the observation in his fourth report published on Wednesday May 1.
In this latest report, Mr Constantine said there had been “outstanding progress” on recruitment and an “excellent start” for the Policing Board.
But he added, police plans to reorganise Special Branch did not live up to the recommendations on Northern Ireland police reform made in 1999 by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten, the Oversight Commissioner said.
However responding to the report the Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid said the report reflected the situation that existed on 7 January 2002 and did not include recent developments such as the graduation of the first PSNI trainees and the first annual PSNI/An Garda Siochana conference.
The Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Desmond Rea said they welcomed the report’s encouraging comments about the Policing Board’s role. But Mr Rea added the Board, “will also no doubt recognise that there is still much work to do in ensuring the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service.”
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: “The Oversight Commissioner’s report praises the Policing Board for its professionalism and strength. This vindicates the SDLP decision to join the Board and highlights its success. The report also praises the “outstanding progress” of the recruitment programme. This again vindicates the SDLP decision to encourage young nationalists to join the police.”
Meanwhile Sinn Féin have said the report has highlighted the reasons why they have refused to take up their positions on the Policing Board.
“The Special Branch remains ‘a force within a force’ and that is not acceptable,” Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly said.
“The gap between Patten and the current arrangements remain significant. Sinn Féin will continue to pursue the requirements of the Agreement on this issue until they are achieved.”(AMcE)
Mr Constantine, who is charged with overseeing police reform made the observation in his fourth report published on Wednesday May 1.
In this latest report, Mr Constantine said there had been “outstanding progress” on recruitment and an “excellent start” for the Policing Board.
But he added, police plans to reorganise Special Branch did not live up to the recommendations on Northern Ireland police reform made in 1999 by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten, the Oversight Commissioner said.
However responding to the report the Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid said the report reflected the situation that existed on 7 January 2002 and did not include recent developments such as the graduation of the first PSNI trainees and the first annual PSNI/An Garda Siochana conference.
The Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Desmond Rea said they welcomed the report’s encouraging comments about the Policing Board’s role. But Mr Rea added the Board, “will also no doubt recognise that there is still much work to do in ensuring the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service.”
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: “The Oversight Commissioner’s report praises the Policing Board for its professionalism and strength. This vindicates the SDLP decision to join the Board and highlights its success. The report also praises the “outstanding progress” of the recruitment programme. This again vindicates the SDLP decision to encourage young nationalists to join the police.”
Meanwhile Sinn Féin have said the report has highlighted the reasons why they have refused to take up their positions on the Policing Board.
“The Special Branch remains ‘a force within a force’ and that is not acceptable,” Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly said.
“The gap between Patten and the current arrangements remain significant. Sinn Féin will continue to pursue the requirements of the Agreement on this issue until they are achieved.”(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 July 2006
Policing Board publishes Fifth Annual Report
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has today published its Fifth Annual Report, which contains an overview of the work of the Board and an assessment of police performance during the period from April 1 2005 – March 31 2006.
Policing Board publishes Fifth Annual Report
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has today published its Fifth Annual Report, which contains an overview of the work of the Board and an assessment of police performance during the period from April 1 2005 – March 31 2006.
07 November 2002
Crompton report hailed as a 'breakthrough' in policing
The recommendations of the Crompton Report have been broadly hailed as a "breakthrough" in Northern Ireland policing. SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the external report by HM Inspector of Constabulary Dan Crompton illustrated that the Policing Board was conclusively dealing with the issue of Special Branch.
Crompton report hailed as a 'breakthrough' in policing
The recommendations of the Crompton Report have been broadly hailed as a "breakthrough" in Northern Ireland policing. SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that the external report by HM Inspector of Constabulary Dan Crompton illustrated that the Policing Board was conclusively dealing with the issue of Special Branch.
20 November 2003
DPPs tour PSNI Training College
The Police Service College opened its doors to members of District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) today to showcase the vital police work carried out by a number of police departments.
DPPs tour PSNI Training College
The Police Service College opened its doors to members of District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) today to showcase the vital police work carried out by a number of police departments.
20 November 2002
Policing Board scores well but public lack information
A survey published on the public's perception of the Policing Board has shown that the Board have scored well, but that some of the recent high-profile changes made under the Patton recommendations have fared less well. The area of District Policing Partnerships in particular proved puzzling to those polled.
Policing Board scores well but public lack information
A survey published on the public's perception of the Policing Board has shown that the Board have scored well, but that some of the recent high-profile changes made under the Patton recommendations have fared less well. The area of District Policing Partnerships in particular proved puzzling to those polled.
20 November 2007
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
Policing Partnership Meeting Abandoned
Sinn Fein's vote last January to back the PSNI and to nominate party representatives for seats on the N I Policing Board and the associated District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) for the first time, has proved to be easier to agree than to action.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
