Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk

Focusing on the Board’s work and policing issues across Issue Two : October 2010

‘State of the art’ Police Station Chinese Community Human Rights Inquiry DPP Round Up for consultation on LGB&T Page 8 Page 2 Page 4 Page 6 Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 2 WELCOME TO POLICING MATTERS ------The Board is an independent body made up of 19 Members to ensure for all the people of Northern Ireland the delivery Policing Matters is the of an effective, efficient, accountable and monthly newsletter impartial police service which will secure on the work of the the confidence of the whole community by reducing crime and the fear of crime. Northern Ireland Click here to see the Board membership. Pictured at the opening of Omagh Police Station are (l-r): C/Supt Michael Skuce, Justice Minister David Ford MLA, Acting Board Chair Brian Rea, Chief Constable Matt Baggott and C/Insp Sue Steen. Policing Board. www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/index/ theboard.htm

It is the Policing Board’s job to make sure ------that the PSNI, through the Chief Constable, How to contact us: ‘State of the art’ Omagh are held to account for service delivery so Northern Ireland Policing Board that the community can have confidence Waterside Tower Omagh’s new £15.5m police credentials, the station is heated by a on how the police operate on a day to 31 Clarendon Road station was officially opened biomass boiler which uses wood pellets day basis. Clarendon Dock on 14 September. as fuel and geothermal groundwater for BT1 3BG cooling. Tel: 028 9040 8500 The station is the HQ for policing in the This newsletter provides a report on key Fax: 028 9040 8525 Fermanagh, Omagh, and The technology in this modern facility issues being dealt with by the Board, its Email: [email protected] areas. ensures that officers spend minimal community engagement and consultation Textphone: 028 9052 7668 time in the station and more time in work and updates on some initiatives being Web: visit www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Declaring the new station officially open, Join us on Facebook the community. taken forward locally by District Policing www.facebook.com/policingboard Brian Rea said: “This state of the art Partnerships. building has been designed to deliver Chief Constable, Matt Baggott described Disclaimer: a first class policing service to the the station as “an investment in policing This PDF newsletter will become a regular Neither the Northern Ireland Policing community.” The 7,700 square metres and an investment in communities” Board nor its consultants will be held channel of communication between the station includes the first purpose built Viper which will help police offer a personal, liable for any inaccuracies that may Board and the various groups and audiences be contained within this document. witness suite and a 10 cell custody suite. protective and professional service we work with. And, as further evidence of its modern for everyone. Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 3

Jimmy Spratt MLA Planning for future police recruitment

Human Resources (HR) Committee As a Board, we want to make sure members held a workshop that all associated factors and impacts in September with PSNI HR are considered in planning; particularly Management to discuss future in the context of funding and value for police officer recruitment and money requirements. This is a significant support staff requirements. piece of work for both the Board and the PSNI and as it progresses we will With the service close to achieving be seeking wider views on aspects of it. 30% Catholic representation, current 50:50 arrangements complete. Committee Over the last year, through the Resource Chair, Jimmy Spratt MLA explained the to Risk project 490 additional officers need to plan now for future recruitment are now working in Neighbourhood whilst taking into account related factors / Response Teams and the Board is such as training and development of officers, pleased that for the first time a HR † Key facts and figures since 2001 support staff roles and responsibilities, rank distribution plan has been agreed for ratios, officer promotions and retention and allocation of police officer and staff • 16 police recruitment campaigns • 29.33% of police officers representativeness issues. resources. This work is driven by the with over 107,000 applications are Catholic need to ensure that people are in the • 81 intakes to the police college • 3244 members of PSNI “We are working closely with PSNI with 3995 student officers support staff* right place, at the right time and most appointed on 50:50 basis • 3863 regular officers have to establish the future strategic importantly are doing the right thing • 1399 female officers appointed taken Patten severance priorities relating to police and support for the community.” since 2001 (01/01/01 - 15/09/10) staff so that the necessary practical • 7194 regular officers in service * 623 agency staff included in this arrangements can be put in place • 25 % of police officers are female † figures correct at 10/9/10 for HR management over the next 5-10 years.

Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 4

Chinese Community Consultation

Board Members held a Committee Chair Alex Maskey MLA sure their issues are well represented engaging with us in this particularly bilingual meeting with Chinese said: “We recognise and accept our when it comes to policing.” innovative way. Community representatives in responsibility to reach out and engage September as part of its work with people from all backgrounds and Eileen Chan-Hu, Chief Executive Since 1996, nearly 15 years ago, there to encourage partnership do what we can to help raise public of the Chinese Welfare Association is a different picture on how we work between communities and confidence in policing, reduce crime (CWA), Northern Ireland’s main regional together to tackle racism. We have the police so that policing is and build a safer society for everyone. community organisation for the Chinese seen many changes such as better delivered most effectively. community, said: recording of racial incidents, joint-up/ We had some really helpful interaction multi-agency work such as DPPs and Left: Young Chinese Community representatives with the Chinese community and the “I am delighted that CWA and the the Community Safety Partnership, give their thoughts on policing. Right: Pictured at the Policing Board meeting with the Chinese issues they raised will be considered Policing Board hosted this event to the use of interpreters working for Community are (l-r): Chair of the Board’s when we set objectives for the Policing encourage our Chinese community to PSNI etc and I hope today’s event will Community Engagement Committee Alex Plan. We plan to continue to work with express their views on policing. This inform government services to improve Maskey MLA and Chief Executive of the Chinese Welfare Association Eileen Chan-Hu. minority ethnic communities to make has come about after many months accessibility to ensure all communities planning and I thank the Board for live safely.” Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 5

Policing the Parades April to July 2010 - Key Statistical Findings* The cost of policing parades across NI £3,679,000 1 April 2010 - 31 July 2010 The cost of policing parades and public disorder £2,203,000 Policing 11 - 14 July 2010 The cost of policing bonfires over the Twelfth period £154,000 The cost of policing Interfaces over the Twelfth period £246,000 Total number of notified bonfires 262 Total number of police officers injured 83 Parades Number of officers reporting unfit for duty as a result of 26 disorder over the twelfth period Number of AEPs fired from the 11 to 14 July 2010 143 Members of the Human Rights He said: “Now is the time to begin Number of officers deployed to police parades on the 2114 and Professional Standards conversations and start working with 12 and 13 July 2010 Committee received a briefing the Department of Justice and other Number of parades PSNI did not police 490 in September from C/Supt Mark agencies to address issues around Hamilton on the issues for the contentious parades so that we do * figures correct at 15/9/10 PSNI concerning parading. not have a repeat of this serious disorder next year. Discussions focused not just on the Pictured briefing Members at the Board’s Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee costs and resources involved in policing Such violence not only has an impact meeting are (l-r) Supt Ian McCoy, C/Supt Mark Hamilton, ‘A’ District Commander and C/Insp parades for the period April 2010 to July on the use of policing resources but Andy Freeburn. 2010, but also on the wider impact that has a significant longer term impact such serious disorder has across the on police community relations and whole community. community confidence which is also a major concern for the Board. Committee Chair, Basil McCrea MLA explained that whilst the Board has The parading issue is firmly on the publicly praised the police handling Board’s agenda and Committee of the serious violence that erupted Members are ready to talk to other across Northern Ireland during the agencies to help move the debate summer months, parading is not just forward so that police are not faced a policing issue. with the same situation next summer.” Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 6

DIARY DATES

Views sought The Board will begin recruiting for Custody Visitors at the end of October. Look out for details in the press and on the Board’s website: in Human www.nipolicingboard.org.uk. ’s next public meeting will be held in the Peter Thompson Rights Inquiry Hall, Castlerock on Monday 18 October. The meeting will focus on Neighbourhood Policing and The latest of the Board’s • Investigating crimes committed against ‘Through Our Eyes’ published by the Call Management. The following specialised Human Rights LGB&T individuals and arresting the in 2009. While exploring meeting will cover the PSNI’s 6 Thematic Inquiry is now perpetrators; this issue, the Inquiry is also designed to month statistics and will take place in Town Hall underway. The fourth Inquiry will raise public awareness of homophobic on 15 November. consider the PSNI’s approach to • Providing internal support to LGB&T and transphobic motivated hate crime policing with and for Lesbian, Gay, police officers and police staff; and and will examine whether victims The Board’s 6th public engagement Bisexual and Transgender (LGB&T) are deterred from reporting these meeting will be held in the Marine individuals in the following areas: • Engaging with LGB&T stakeholder crimes because of the way they are Court Hotel, Bangor on Monday groups, organisations, and individuals. treated at any stage of the criminal 1 November from 7pm. • Identifying, recording and encouraging justice process.” the reporting of crimes committed The November Policing Board Chair of the Human Rights and against LGB&T individuals including, meeting in public with be held at Professional Standards Committee Submissions should be sent to the Board’s Waterside Tower, 31 Clarendon but not limited to, homophobic or Basil McCrea MLA, said: policy branch or by email: information@ Road, Belfast on Thursday transphobic motivated hate incidents nipolicingboard.org.uk by 30th November 4 November. and crimes; domestic abuse; and “Historically there has been a 2010. Consultation will be held with the sexual violence; More information on the events history of under reporting of crime Board’s LGB&T Reference Group and listed above can be obtained by from the LGB&T community, a fact will include roundtable discussions with • Supporting LGB&T victims of crime; contacting the Policing Board which was highlighted in a report specialist and key stakeholders. or the local DPP Manager. Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 7

Board Meeting News

Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie and the PSNI top team discuss the performance report at the October Board meeting.

also welcomed rises in the detection Police rates for non domestic violence with injury crimes, more serious sexual Performance crime and sectarian crime. Update The PSNI’s multi agency proactive strategy to deal with ATM robberies has delivered The most recent performance significant reductions (21 incidents in 2009 report presented to the October to 3 in 2010). Tiger Kidnappings have also Board meeting showed that crime reduced - from 16 in 2009 to 3 this year has decreased by 4.9%. to date. Questions were also asked on Human Trafficking operations and police Whilst welcoming this, the Board had reported that 4 people were recently some concerns about the increase in charged and 25 people were rescued domestic burglary, half of which, according last year. to DCC Judith Gillespie, are a result of poor household security. Members also questioned PSNI on the current dissident threat, preparing The low detection rate for domestic for parades and other organised burglaries was also raised and Members crime operations. asked for initiatives on how PSNI intend to tackle this to be reported back. At the monthly meeting, Members also agreed that Oldpark and police Board Members welcomed that ‘non stations should be disposed of. In respect domestic violence with injury’ crimes of Carryduff, Members have asked police have decreased by 615 or 10% and to progress a shop front location. Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 8 DPP ROUND UP Across Northern Ireland District Policing Partnerships are working to improve policing services to the community and deal with local policing issues. Here we report on initiatives over the last month..... Young people, How to customise Safer driving your car and keep it positive policing safe was the message Young people from across the Ards area met with the PSNI at ’s Outlet in a public event at the end of September. in Banbridge Centre at the end of September. ‘Young people and positive policing’ people will assume all young people was organised by the DPP, youth are involved in anti-social behaviour. The local DPP sponsored an groups and clubs to give young event which brought together people the chance to talk directly He said: “This is just one example key agencies involved in with local police chiefs and highlighted of how youngsters can feel driving home the information that the vast majority of young people misunderstood and alienated, - the PSNI, Department of are responsible citizens and are often which in turn leads to negative Environment and Northern in need of positive policing. attitudes by them towards the Ireland Fire and Rescue police and authority in general. Service. A little bit of celeb This follows on from the recent Public Young people can be victims flavour was lent to the event Achievement report “Beyond the of crime too and equally have margins - Building trust in policing valuable contributions to make in as rally driver Kenny McKinstry with young people” which called improving community safety. This and current British Touring Car for greater understanding between event aimed to help break down Champion Colin Turkington - the police and young people as barriers, address misperceptions the road safety ambassador Pictured at the Banbridge event are (l-r): Bridin Beckett, DoE, Cllr Ian consumers of policing. and assist young people to engage Burns, Banbridge DPP Chairman, Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for the for the DOE - roared up to give more effectively with the police Environment, C/Insp Ken Mawhinney, PSNI Banbridge and Area Commander and Angela Walton, The Outlet Operations Manager. their advice and support on Ards DPP Chairman Cllr Angus Carson and vice versa. Hopefully this keeping cars safe to drive. explained that while local people very will just be the beginning of the often have legitimate concerns around process to build more positive anti-social behaviour being caused by relationships”. young people, there is a danger that Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 9

Age Awareness Student safety first in Armagh

The four E District DPPs – Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and and Mourne – partnered with the PSNI and the Southern Regional College (SRC) to provide a safety guide for students.

During consultation, young people from the college identified a need for some user friendly information to help prevent them becoming victims of crime. The guide was launched during Freshers Week in September by the Policing Board’s Acting Chair Brian Rea.

Pictured at an Age Awareness event in Armagh at the end of September are (l-r): DPP Manager Patricia Gibson, Stephanie Rock Armagh CSP, Mayor of Armagh Jim Speers, Ronnie Irwin PSNI Crime Prevention Officer, Armagh Neighbourhood Policing Team and some of the older people taking part in the event. Stop Texting When Driving Campaign

Pictured at the launch are Acting Board Chair Brian Rea (l) and Justin Edwards, SRC Director of Student Services and Giving out student safety guides at the SRC Curriculum (r) with (l-r): Amanda Mulholland, Banbridge DPP Manager, Cllr William Burns, Newry & Mourne DPP Chair, Banbridge campus freshers fair are (l-r): Con Chris DPP and PSNI have joined forces Patricia Hamilton, Newry & Mourne DPP Manager, Supt Barbara Gray, PSNI E District Community Safety, Catherine Woods, Mulholland, Gilford Neighbourhood Policing Team and to try to get people to stop texting when driving. SRC Student Activities Co-ordinator, Karen Marshall, Armagh DPP, Con David Smith E District Community Safety, Alison Helen Coop, Banbridge District Council Community Pictured with the posters and leaflets that will be Clenaghan, Craigavon DPP Manager, Con Chris Mulholland, Banbridge/Gilford Neighbourhood Policing Team and Tom Safety Warden. distributed in the area are (l-r): Con Hilman, Insp Colin French, Craigavon DPP. Audley, Sgt Barnes, DPP Chairman Cllr Fraser Agnew and DPP Manager Campbell Dixon. Northern Ireland Policing Board

POLICING MATTERS www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Issue Two : October 2010 Page 10

Picture Page

This pictorial round up provides details of some other events over the last month.

The Mosaic Project, undertaken by Moyle Gateway Club and funded by the Police Property Fund was recently launched outside Ballycastle Police Station. Pictured at the event alongside Members of the Gateway Club are Philip McKeown, Vice Chair Moyle DPP, Brian Rea Policing Board Acting Chair (far left) and (l-r kneeling) Con Aaron Coyle, Cushendall NPT, Con Andrew Moffatt, Ballycastle NPT and Insp Bryan Hume, PSNI Moyle.

Limavady Custom Cruisers brought rally driver Eugene Donnelly (centre back) to Pictured at the Ards Road Safety event in September are (l-r): Ards DPP help promote ‘doing it safely’. Pictured with Eugene are: Insp Stephen Haslett Manager Alan McCay, DPP member Cllr Robin Drysdale, Con Helen Black, Roads Policing, Rosemary Savage DPP Member, Amy Ritchie and Sophie Terry Malcom and Norman Harkness. from the Road Safety Committee. Quigg, Causeway Cruisers members.

Members of the Policing Board met with DPP Members for discussion Meeting young Nationalist representatives in to discuss Insp Catherine Magee (l) and Coleraine DPP Manager Suzanne Irwin (r) at the DPP Chair and Vice Chair Forum in September. Pictured is Acting policing issues are DPP Members Ita McErlean, Ruth Orr, Cllr Oliver launch the leaflet on how to contact the PSNI which provide details of the Board Chair Brian Rea and other members of the panel included Cllr Paul McMullan and Paul Maguire. Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Maskey MLA, Suzanne Wylie Belfast City Council, Chief Constable Matt Baggott, Peter May Department of Justice and Alex Maskey MLA.