Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk

Focusing on the Board’s work and policing issues across Northern Ireland Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Custody Visiting Conference Pg 2

Roadsafe Roadshow – don’t learn the hard way Pg 3

NCA Director reports to Board Pg 5

Recognising heroism in policing pg 8 POLICING MATTERS 02 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

FRONT COVER Custody Visiting Conference CAPTION

Director General of the Lynne Owens presents her report to the Policing Board.

The Board is an independent body made up Policing Board Chair addresses the Custody Visiting Annual Conference. of 19 Members to ensure for all the people of Northern Ireland the delivery of an effective, The Independent Custody Visitors got a break from visiting efficient, accountable and impartial police service which will secure the confidence of the whole police custody suites at their recent Annual Conference. community by reducing crime and the fear of Each year, the visitors take time out to focus on the issues C/Supt Simon Walls, Policing Board Chair Anne crime. Click here to see the Board membership. they are faced with on visits and the conference particularly Connolly and Board Member Brice Dickson at the Custody Visiting Annual Conference. ------focused on vulnerable detainees. How to contact us:

Northern Ireland Policing Board Last year, Custody Visitors in Northern Speaking about the scheme Policing I know that sometimes visits can Waterside Tower Ireland made 468 visits to police custody Board Chair Anne Connolly described it be difficult, that Custody Visitors see 31 Clarendon Road - more than any other area in the UK as an important part of the confidence many people in distressed dispositions Clarendon Dock, Belfast BT1 3BG building process in Northern Ireland, Tel: 028 9040 8500 except for Scotland and West Yorkshire. and the challenges this poses for Email: [email protected] ensuring that systems are fair and impartial PSNI. Custody Visitors are the Web: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Custody Visitors are normally and that everyone is assured their rights Board’s eyes and ears when visiting appointed for a 6 year period only policingboard are protected. She said its success PSNI detention facilities. I know that yet some of the 12 volunteers saying is testament to the enthusiasm and it is not a role taken up lightly and

@nipolicingboard goodbye this year stayed on for a professionalism of the Custody Visitors who want to offer my thanks for all the hard

further year to assist the Board. make visits in their own time. She said: Disclaimer: work put into the Scheme. Neither the Northern Ireland Policing Board nor its consultants will be held liable for any inaccuracies that may be contained within this document. © Northern Ireland Policing Board Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 03 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Roadsafe Roadshow - don’t learn the hard way

Policing Board Vice Chair Debbie Watters helped launch the Roadsafe Roadshow in Belfast last month. The Roadshow brings together all the emergency services to tell the real time story of what happens after a collision, what their roles and responses are and importantly, how it affects all those involved in a human way.

The Roadshow Roadsafe is We all need to be reminded particularly geared towards that just one slip of young people to get them concentration can end up in thinking about the potential a collision. This message dangers of driving as they start is particularly important out and with 16 young people for young people to hear Actors convey the aftermath of a road collision with real members of the emergency services. killed on our roads last year, so that they are aware of the message is a vital one. the dangers as they begin She said: The message, though, is

to drive and not learn this

I hope that after meaningful at any age. lesson the hard way. seeing the roadshow Ms Watters said: Head of PSNI Road Policing, they realise that they

The Roadsafe Chief Inspector Diane are not indestructible; Roadshow is an ideal vehicle Pennington said that the key that they are more to get a stark and blunt to reducing the number of vulnerable on the roads Pictured at the Roadsafe Roadshow are (l-r): Sgt Robert Cumiskey, Insp Rosie Leech, Con John Wilson PSNI Roads Education Officer, message across to young young people killed and and that they must Policing Board Vice Chair Debbie Watters, John McPoland

people that driving can be seriously injured on our respect the roads and NI Ambulance Service, Rory Domigan NIFRS, John Amos NI

Ambulance Service, Eastern Area Watch Commander Trevor

extremely dangerous. roads is education. other road users. McClurg and Con Stephen Dickson.

Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 04 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Board Meeting News Driving

Opening the October Board change Meeting in Public Board Chair Collaborative working Anne Connolly welcomed the is the key to delivering Director General of the National road safety says the Crime Agency (NCA) to her second Chief Inspector of public engagement with Board Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland. Members. Commenting that the His recently published inspection NCA has now been successfully report Driving Change calls for operating and supporting the statutory organisations to work more PSNI for over a year, Mrs Connolly closely together to change driver thanked the Agency for its work behaviour, particularly when sharing with the Board over the last information on penalty points and number of months. disqualifications cross border.

As part of the recommendations, Chief The Chair also congratulated police on Lynne Owens presents her report to Board Members during the meeting. Inspector Brendan McGuigan advocates recent operational successes including a centralised Traffic Court, similar to terrorist-related arrests and the find of a in the wider fight against serious and year’s budget would have on the the English system, which frees up primed device which has undoubtedly organised crime. He added that this PSNIs capacity and capability. He bureaucracy, time and resources by saved lives. collaborative approach has seen also emphasised the challenges hearing uncontested or guilty plea cases successful prosecutions against those ahead within an uncertain financial In his report, to Board Members the with the defendant or prosecutor present. involved in Child Sexual Exploitation, climate and the need for Board input Chief also welcomed the NCA cybercrime and financial crime. and support. To find out more about the Director General’s attendance at the recommendations in the Driving meeting, emphasising the close working Providing a financial update to Change report relationship the PSNI has established Board Members the with the Agency, allowing them to avail explained the significant impact to view the Chief Constable’s of additional expertise and resources potential cuts of 3% and 6% on next report to Board Members Continued...

Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 05 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Board Meeting News continued Questions to the NCA Director General Report from NCA Director General Lynne Owens was asked by Board In her report to the Board Lynne Owens, NCA Director General Members to outline the implications spoke of the Agency’s commitment to a close working relationship of Brexit on NCA/PSNI operations. with the PSNI and other operational partners in the fight against She explained that, as yet, there serious and organised crime. was no impact on operational relationships across Europe but Updating Members on the progress of • the actual NAMA NI loan book three confidential briefings to the going forward, both the NCA and the investigation into the National Assets purchase and dispersal of fees Assembly’s Finance Committee. PSNI needed to be confident that Management Agency (NAMA) which offshore; intelligence would continue to be Lynne Owens also outlined commenced in July 2015 she explained • the nature, extent and probity of the shared via Europol or another route. operational successes during July that of the seven people interviewed relationships and roles of persons and August which has involved five Given the additionality that comes with under criminal caution six of them involved in the process, including disruptions (one moderate and four ‘Fresh Start’, Lynne Owens was also remain under investigation and criminal allegations of corruption. minor), including the arrest of an asked to advise on the new integration suspects. Having interviewed more than • the broader NAMA NI loan book individual for possession of indecent of the NCA with the PSNI in relation to 40 witnesses, eight searches of property portfolio sale process, including images of children and the conviction cross border work and also on organised have been conducted and investigators previous purchase attempts and; and sentencing of an offender on a crime gangs. Answering the Director have obtained Court Orders to obtain • offences suspected of having been drugs operation. General told Members that ‘Fresh Start’ materials from public and private committed under UK law. presents a real and tangible opportunity institutions. The Director General also confirmed to build capability and capacity which is Assuring Board Members that the that the Finance Minister recently directly shared and co-located. This will investigation is a high priority operation received a confidential briefing on the to view the NCA Director allow live-time sharing of intelligence and on the UK Serious and Organised Crime progress of the investigation and that General’s report will take the activity to dismantle these grid, Lynne Owens outlined its remit as: since July 2015 the NCA has provided groups to a new level.

Continued...

Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 06 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Board Meeting News continued

Questions to the Chief Constable

Due to recent anti-social behaviour ACC Martin assured Members that the experienced during Fresher’s Week in the policy has been equality screened, the Holyland area of South Belfast, the Chief PSNI Human Rights Advisor was highly Constable was asked if there are potential involved in its development and that all powers at the disposal of the police such as other lines of enquiry were exhausted anti-social behaviour orders that could be before deciding to post an image on used to tackle such issues. ACC Stephen Facebook. He also reported that to Martin told Members that to date 13 date there had been 12 successful people* have been arrested in relation to identifications out of 16. The challenge of disturbances in the area. He also cautioned identifying the age of young people before against the introduction of new powers as exposing their image publically was also he believed the range of powers currently raised and the need to put in place extra The Chief Constable and NCA Director General being questioned at the October Board available to the police are sufficient. ACC Meeting in Public. safe guards to ensure that those underage Martin also emphasised that the situation are not identified in this way. was more about problem solving and that Police College Review Update positive engagements with young people Other questions included recent research At the September meeting, the College; Verification of examinations had also taken place during the week. published by Cambridge University on Board were informed of the terms and assessments; Accreditation and The Chief Constable was also asked if Body Worn Video and how the findings of the independently led review of relationship with the Ulster University; Operation Exposure, which is running on compare to PSNI stats; the police the Police College and a copy of and Benchmarking. the PSNI Craigavon’s Facebook page and response to the removal of paramilitary the completed report has now been involves posting one CCTV image a day of flags and emblems; prioritising young male Board Members have agreed to someone who the police want to identify victims of violent crime; and the position received. The Review focuses on five convene a special meeting on and speak to in relation to various matters, with the PSNI investigation on the Omagh areas: Content of the Student Officer Thursday 20 October to consider the is adhering to the guidelines set. bomb investigation. Programme; Culture within the Police findings in detail.

*figures correct 6/10/16 Continued...

Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 07 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Board Meeting News continued Resolution at Ardoyne welcomed During the meeting Board Chair Anne Focus on Police Performance Connolly welcomed the resolution of the During the meeting, the Chief safety promotions budgets last year has Deeply concerned about the increase long running dispute involving a parade in the Ardoyne area. She said: Constable was also questioned on also had an impact and it was agreed that in heroin use and the impact of this on the mid-year police performance there was a need to be more streamlined both physical and mental health, ACC As a Board we are grateful to against the Policing Plan 2016/17 and creative, particularly in educating young Kerr confirmed that he has met with the successful efforts of Rev Harold targets. While tackling crime against people about safer driving on the roads. the Department of Health Permanent Good and Jim Roddy for facilitating older people, reducing the number Secretary to move this serious issue discussion and agreement to the During the meeting the Chief Constable of statute barred cases and reducing forward. He also told Members that dispute. The parading and community reported recent successful drug operations the average working days lost for support from the NCA in providing a representatives are to be praised for which have resulted in the seizure of £2.7m police officers has improved, the broader international intelligence picture their willingness to engage in dialogue worth of drugs. Despite these successes outcome rates for hate crime and is also assisting in preventing the threat and work to find resolution. We hope the performance report shows that drug road traffic detection has decreased. and supply of this hard drug in Northern that the positive end to this matter seizures have decreased by 13.1% between Ireland. signals the beginning of further

The Chief Constable was asked to April and August compared to the same

discussions to find future resolution

explain the reasons for the decrease period last year. Following on from the where there is contention. in outcomes relating to road safety. report the Chief Constable was asked about Acknowledging that this was a cause for the level of heroin use in the North. In his Also welcoming the outcome Chief to view the full six-monthly concern, ACC Alan Todd told Members response ACC Kerr acknowledged that Constable George Hamilton said: performance report against that the decrease was due to a number growing anecdotal, community and some the Policing Plan 2016/17. The peaceful conclusion to the of factors, one being the restructuring of seizure evidence indicates that the level of longstanding Twaddell protest is another the Road Policing Unit which has resulted heroin use has increased. He also explained example of what can be achieved when in a reduction of police officers involved that the two main reasons for this are the the community themselves takes a in road safety. While a business case emergence and exploitation by Eastern to view footage of the meeting. lead in delivering for their safety and is ongoing to acquire new equipment, European organised crime gangs and wellbeing. Police worked closely with current aging road detection equipment the change in drug use which is showing all of those involved and contributed was also cited as an issue, in particular people going directly to heroin use, because significant resources to the weekend.

for low light and rural use. The 51% cut of its accessibility, as opposed to graduated to view the list of written questions I would like to thank them for their

to Departmental advertising and road use starting with softer drugs. dedication and effort throughout.

Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 08 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

Recognising heroism

Some of the heroism inherent in everyday policing was honoured recently in the annual South Area Recognition ceremony. Policing Board Chair Anne Connolly presented two officers with National Police Memorial Day Royal Humane Society certificates for an London’s St Paul’s Cathedral was the setting for this act of heroism and officers and staff were year’s National Police Memorial Day which honours commended for good examples of police and remembers the thousands of police officers work in the line of duty. who have lost their lives serving the community. Policing Board Chair Anne Connolly was joined Pictured (l-r) are: C/Supt Pauline Shields, Policing at the event by PSNI Chief Constable George Acknowledging the extra mile that many officers Board Chair Anne Connolly and ACC Stephen Martin bring to their role each day, Mrs Connolly said: at the South Area Recognition ceremony. Hamilton and the Justice Minister Claire Sugden.

There are not many people who can say behaviour on our doorstep and, who insisted they’ve saved a person’s life of a day; there on giving us that ticket! We are very aware that Policing across the border aren’t many of us who can clock off work content the choice to go out to protect the public, keep A revised Cross Border Policing Strategy has in the knowledge that they have taken a huge people safe and protect the community is often been published which is designed to enhance consignment of drugs out of circulation and there not an easy one. The policing environment in cross border cooperation in policing and

aren’t many of us who put their feet up knowing Northern Ireland continues to be challenging and tackle cross border organised crime.

they have been somebody’s hero that day. carrying out such an important role in the context of a continued threat is sometimes difficult. She added: But we also know how rewarding it is to be a Of course, we often hear more about what police officer; it’s one of those roles where you

goes wrong in policing: who didn’t call to our

actually get to make a difference to people’s

door in time, who didn’t tackle the anti-social lives and to communities as a whole.

Connect with us: www.nipolicingboard.org.uk POLICING MATTERS 09 Northern Ireland Policing Board Issue Sixty Four: October 2016

TALK it out Committee briefed on PSNI workforce demand

The Policing Board’s second TALK Programme will continue to run until the end of March 2017. The Transformation, Advocacy, Leadership, Knowledge is designed to support emerging young leaders across the community and encourage them to engage with the Board on how views and perceptions of policing are shaped. The participants of the current Programme are all Resources Committee Members being briefed by DCC Harris and C/Supt Farrar on PSNI work force demand Independent Members of the various PCSPs. The Resources Committee was recently briefed will identify more clearly the internal and other criminal justice The Board recently held a review event with partners from by Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris and demands on policing and any hidden demands. the PSNI and United States Consul examining how effective C/Supt Peter Farrar on the PSNI Demand Profiling the TALK Programme has been and how to making best Discussions focused on the numerous incidents of assault Project which is being undertaken across the use of these experiences in the future. that officers have to deal with on a regular basis at Hospital whole organisation. During the session DCC Harris The study visit to Washington in August 2015 based A&E Departments and, for example, Muckamore Hospital provided an overview of the project outlining around a programme delivered by the US Institute of Peace in Antrim and how these are categorised. DCC Harris which focused on negotiation, conflict resolution and civic the three phase approach which involves: an was also questioned on how the PSNI respond to leadership skills stood out as a significant learning tool. initial measurement of demand; the resource missing persons, in particular young people in care. While Participants also benefitted from the cross border trip which requirements for demand; and prioritisation of understanding the necessity for police involvement, it was identified best practice and alternative ways of working. services and resources. agreed that more collaboration was needed with other agencies to better use resources in these situations. Participants also welcomed the chance to build trust and He said that 20% of the 500,000 calls for service received per relationships with the police and benefit from the mutually year are crime related, and while year on year reported crimes The first phase of the report will be completed this month supportive relationships between the TALK Programme tend to stay in and around 100,000, the types of crimes are and detailed first findings will be presented to Members participants. changing. DCC Harris also assured Members that the project at the November Committee meeting.

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