The Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland Northern

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The Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland

The Police Complaints System in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland § § Ireland partitioned in 1921 Population 1. 7 m The Troubles

Northern Ireland § § Ireland partitioned in 1921 Population 1. 7 m The Troubles 1968 -1998 Significant impact on policing

A Decade of Change § Political reform – Good Friday Agreement 1998 § Police

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)

The five European Convention principles for police complaint investigations: § § § Independence Adequacy

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

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland § § Opened in November 2000 Civilian oversight

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.

§ The Office investigates: § § Complaints from the public Referrals from the police

§ 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

§ Investigators able to carry out a full recorded interview with officers, and can

§ 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

Why do people complain about the police? § § § Poor attitude Failure of

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

Automatic investigations § § Firearms discharge Baton round discharge Fatal RTC’s involving PSNI Death

Automatic investigations § § Firearms discharge Baton round discharge Fatal RTC’s involving PSNI Death in custody

The Effect of PONI on policing § Positive § 86% of people believe PONI

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

“Probably only Northern Ireland has a truly independent complaints and investigation system. For the

“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, p 88 -89

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

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

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