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The Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland

Explore the Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland, its impact on policing, the role of the Police Ombudsman, and the principles guiding police complaint investigations.

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The Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland

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  1. The Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland

  2. Northern Ireland • Ireland partitioned in 1921 • Population 1.7m • The Troubles 1968-1998 • Significant impact on policing

  3. A Decade of Change • Political reform – Good Friday Agreement 1998 • Police reform – Hayes Report, Patten Report • New police accountability structures (Police Ombudsman, Policing Board) • Monitoring the changes – (Office of the Oversight Commissioner)

  4. The five European Convention principles for police complaint investigations: • Independence • Adequacy • Promptness • Public scrutiny • Victim Involvement

  5. The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland • Opened in November 2000 • Civilian oversight model • Entirely independent of the PSNI • Set up to deal with all complaints about the conduct of police officers while doing their job.

  6. The Office investigates: • Complaints from the public • Referrals from the police • Historic cases • ‘Call-ins’ • Recommendations are made to the Public Prosecution Service or Chief Constable • Can also recommend changes to PSNI policy

  7. Investigators able to carry out a full recorded interview with officers, and can seize police possessions and arrest officers • The Office must obtain the confidence of the public and the police • High satisfaction ratings from officers subject to the complaints process • Over 3300 complaints in 2014/15: • Failure in duty • Incivility • Oppressive behaviour

  8. Why do people complain about the police? • Poor attitude • Failure of communication • Assault • Inappropriate behaviour • Failure to respond • Allegations of corrupt/criminal behaviour • Failure to investigate

  9. Automatic investigations • Firearms discharge • Baton round discharge • Fatal RTC’s involving PSNI • Death in custody

  10. The Effect of PONI on policing • Positive • 86% of people believe PONI helps police do a good job.* • Improves policing via policy recommendations • Changes patterns of police behaviour • Allows an outlet for public dissatisfaction • Negative • Can allow police to abdicate responsibility • Cost * NISRA Omnibus Survey

  11. “Probably only Northern Ireland has a truly independent complaints and investigation system. For the rest of the world the picture is much bleaker.” Baker, B. Police Practice and Research, 2013 Vol. 14, No. 2, p88-89

  12. 11 Church Street BELFAST BT1 1PG www.policeombudsman.org info@policeombudsman.org

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