Policy and Practice Directorate Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Police Identification in Northern Ireland A Report under Section 60A of the Police (NI) Act 1998 March 2006 ISBN 978-0-9552590-0-5 Police Identification in Northern Ireland: A Report Under Section 60A of the Police (NI) Act 1998 Contents 02 29 Foreword by the Police Ombudsman Chapter 6: Interviews for Northern Ireland 31 03 Chapter 7: Conclusion Executive Summary and Recommendations 05 33 Chapter 1: Introduction Annex 1: Benchmarking of Methods of Police Identification used by 08 UK Police Services Chapter 2: Survey Methodology 38 09 Appendix A: Covering Letter Chapter 3: Public Consultation Survey Results 39 Appendix B: Consultation Form 17 Chapter 4: Police Consultation 43 Survey Results Appendix C: Reminder Letter 26 44 Chapter 5: Focus Group Appendix D: Location of Respondents Policy and Practice Directorate Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland 1 Foreword by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland For many years people have talked about their inability to identify Police Officers both when they wish to compliment them on work well done, and also when they want to complain about some incident that has occurred. As an Office we have encountered occasions when it has been very difficult to identify individual police vehicles. The police are now very much committed to policing with the community and co-operated with us in the work now being published. What we have tried to do here is to examine the whole issue of police identification, to gauge public and police views on the matter, and to make sensible suggestions, which are designed to facilitate better officer and equipment identification. These are very important issues. The ability to identify is critical to proper communication. Communication is essential to trust. We hope that this Report will make a small contribution to enabling better relationships between the police and those whom they serve. Nuala O’Loan Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Back to Contents Page 2 Executive Summary This report presents the findings of the investigative research Just over half (52 per cent) of respondents provided views on the project conducted by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland problem areas associated with police identification. Many of during 2004/05 into issues surrounding police identification. these comments repeated themes raised under earlier questions. The investigative research comprised 5 elements: When asked how the current method of police identification might be improved, 53 per cent of respondents provided ■ a consultation survey of the views of the public on the comments, many of which repeated the same themes current methods of identification within the Police Service mentioned throughout the report. of Northern Ireland (PSNI); Just over half (52 per cent) of respondents provided general ■ a consultation survey of the views of the police on the comments. These comments repeated themes already current methods of identification within the Police Service discussed in the main report or reiterated respondents’ of Northern Ireland (PSNI); satisfaction with the current method of police identification. ■ a semi-structured focus group with interested parties; However, three new themes emerged: opening hours of the police station; relationship with the public; and that the ■ in-depth interviews with consultees; and research is encouraging. ■ a benchmarking exercise on the methods of police Police Consultation Survey identification used by a sample of police services throughout the UK. Of the 1,000 sample of Police Officers who were contacted 307 (31 per cent) responded. Public Consultation Survey The majority of respondents (87 per cent) indicated that they Of the 561 participants who were contacted 149 (27 per cent) were satisfied with the current method of Police Officer uniform responded. Seven anonymous responses were recorded from identification. Four general themes ran throughout respondents’ the website. comments: the wearing of name badges; the epaulette number and force number should be the same; the visibility and quality The majority of respondents (83 per cent) indicated that of means of identification; and the feeling that there is no need they were satisfied with the current method of Police Officer to change the current arrangements. uniform identification. Three general themes ran throughout respondents’ comments: location and size of the epaulette A similar majority (88 per cent) of respondents indicated that numbers; the visibility and obscuration of the epaulette they were satisfied with the current method of Police Officer numbers; and the wearing of name badges in conjunction identification on equipment. Three general themes ran with epaulette numbers. throughout the comments: not all police equipment is identifiable; batons and other equipment should be marked Over three quarters (76 per cent) of respondents indicated with a unique identifier; and there is no need to change the that they were satisfied with the current method of Police current arrangements. Officer identification on equipment. Four themes emerged: lack of knowledge regarding identification on equipment; Around two thirds (68 per cent) of officers indicated that they size, location and obscuration of identification on equipment; were satisfied with the current method of Police Officer that all equipment should have individual officer identification; identification by means of a warrant card. Three general themes and the wearing of name badges instead of numbers. ran throughout the content of the responses: the inclusion of the officer’s date of birth on the card; the ease of forgery; and Over three-quarters (76 per cent) of respondents indicated that the quality of the card. they were satisfied with the current method of Police Officer identification by means of a warrant card. Four general areas Eighty-eight percent of officers were satisfied with the current of concern ran throughout respondents’ comments: lack of method of police vehicle identification. There were three general knowledge regarding warrant cards; the general design of the themes throughout the comments: the current method of warrant card; the suitability of the warrant card for those with vehicle identification is adequate; the addition of a number or disabilities; and the use of business cards. symbol to marked or unmarked cars; and the use of unmarked cars was necessary and should be maintained. Eighty-one percent of respondents were satisfied with the current method of police vehicle identification. Three general Forty-five per cent of officers provided views on the problem themes ran throughout the comments: lack of knowledge; areas associated with police identification. Five general themes design and location of vehicle markings; and identification ran throughout the comments: the personal security of Police of unmarked cars. Officers; problems with potential impersonation; problems with malicious complaints; officers’ numerals not being displayed; and identification for plain clothes officers. Back to Contents Page Policy and Practice Directorate Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland 3 Executive Summary When asked how the current method of police identification Benchmarking might be improved, 33 per cent of officers provided comments, A total of ten police services across the UK, as well as the many of which repeated the same themes mentioned throughout Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland) provided details the report. These included: both dissatisfaction with and support on the methods of police identification used within their for the wearing of name badges; improving the quality of the particular areas of jurisdiction. The information obtained can warrant card; clearer markings on the uniform; the use of serial be used as a benchmark when examining issues surrounding numbers, and in particular the force number; public awareness police identification within the PSNI. The findings are presented of police identification; police station security; and the use of at Annex 1. badges and wallets. Just over half (51 per cent) of officers provided general comments. Recommendations These comments repeated themes already discussed in the The report makes a number of recommendations in relation main report or reiterated respondents’ satisfaction with the to police identification, particularly in respect of uniform. current method of police identification. However, two new These are that: themes emerged: the issue of parity with other police forces; and the use of business cards. ■ PSNI policy on the wearing of name badges should be annually reviewed in light of the prevailing security Focus Group situation and the Chief Constable should set a target date To enhance and build upon the information derived from by which it will be compulsory for all officers to display the postal consultation exercise, a focus group was held on name identification badges; 5 November 2004. Participants included four respondents to ■ in the absence of name badges, breast pocket numeral the consultation survey, one staff member from the Office of identification should be introduced; the Police Ombudsman, one staff member from the Northern ■ Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and a member of the police personal issue equipment, including radios, CS spray, Police Service for Northern Ireland involved in the re-design batons, firearms and handcuffs, should be uniquely linked of the current police warrant