Menu
17/08/2001
Policing plan for Northern Ireland is announced
Secretary of State Dr John Reid announced the updated policing plan for Northern Ireland on Friday.
Shown to the pro-Agreement parties two week ago The Police Implementation Plan published by Secretary of State Dr John Reid, which runs to 75 pages, has already been rejected by Republicans as inadequate and denounced by Unionists who refuse to accept any changes to policing in Northern Ireland until there is decommissioning.
At a press conference to announce the plan Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid said he knew that not every part of the plan would please everyone, but he said that the government wished to “act positively rather than be held back by the reluctance and difficulties of others”.
He said: “The plan sets out the future of policing for the people of NI for whom the new beginning offers new levels of ownership, participation, security and stability. It is a blueprint for fundamental and positive change – in short it is Patten.”
As a follow on from the Police Reform Act, which has been passed in the British parliament and gained royal assent in November 2000, the 175-point plan based on the Patten proposals details the changes to be made to the Royal Ulster Constabulary as it is moulded into the Police Service of Northern Ireland:
Among the main changes outlined in the plan are:
Dr Reid said that the community in Northern Ireland deserved a police service that had wide support and could function effectively. Dr Reid said that he hoped the plan offered could be held up to world as a model of modern and effective policing.
He appealed for those who had “rejected the plan out of hand” and reached a “hasty decision” on the updated plan to reconsider.
RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that if the plan received widespread cross-community support, he had no doubt that it would be an effective blueprint for effective policing in the province.
(SP)
Shown to the pro-Agreement parties two week ago The Police Implementation Plan published by Secretary of State Dr John Reid, which runs to 75 pages, has already been rejected by Republicans as inadequate and denounced by Unionists who refuse to accept any changes to policing in Northern Ireland until there is decommissioning.
At a press conference to announce the plan Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid said he knew that not every part of the plan would please everyone, but he said that the government wished to “act positively rather than be held back by the reluctance and difficulties of others”.
He said: “The plan sets out the future of policing for the people of NI for whom the new beginning offers new levels of ownership, participation, security and stability. It is a blueprint for fundamental and positive change – in short it is Patten.”
As a follow on from the Police Reform Act, which has been passed in the British parliament and gained royal assent in November 2000, the 175-point plan based on the Patten proposals details the changes to be made to the Royal Ulster Constabulary as it is moulded into the Police Service of Northern Ireland:
Among the main changes outlined in the plan are:
- Scrapping the full-time police reserve
- Recruiting 2,500 part-time police reserve
- A Code of Ethics in line with European convention on human rights
- New name and symbols
- Creation of a new Police Board
- Setting up new District Policing Partnership Boards
- Closure of Castlereagh, Gough and Strand Road Holding Centres
- Restructuring of Special Branch
- Special recruitment measures
- New oath for Officers
- Revision of Police Ombudsman’s powers
- Appointment of an Oversight Commissioner
Dr Reid said that the community in Northern Ireland deserved a police service that had wide support and could function effectively. Dr Reid said that he hoped the plan offered could be held up to world as a model of modern and effective policing.
He appealed for those who had “rejected the plan out of hand” and reached a “hasty decision” on the updated plan to reconsider.
RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that if the plan received widespread cross-community support, he had no doubt that it would be an effective blueprint for effective policing in the province.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 February 2024
Man Wanted In Hungary Arrested In North Belfast
A 66-year-old man man wanted in Hungary for robbery offences has been arrested in North Belfast. Officers from Tennent Street Local Policing Team made the arrest on the evening of Tuesday, 20 February, on behalf of the PSNI's International Policing Unit.
Man Wanted In Hungary Arrested In North Belfast
A 66-year-old man man wanted in Hungary for robbery offences has been arrested in North Belfast. Officers from Tennent Street Local Policing Team made the arrest on the evening of Tuesday, 20 February, on behalf of the PSNI's International Policing Unit.
21 August 2001
Reid calls on parties to sign up to policing plan
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dr John Reid has expressed confidence that the cross community policing board to oversee the new police service will be set up by the end of September.
Reid calls on parties to sign up to policing plan
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dr John Reid has expressed confidence that the cross community policing board to oversee the new police service will be set up by the end of September.
26 March 2004
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
26 February 2024
Man Wanted On Murder Charge In Spain Arrested In Craigavon
A 22-year-old man wanted in Spain in connection with a murder investigation has been arrested in Craigavon. Officers from the PSNI's International Policing Unit and Lurgan Local Policing Team worked with the National Crime Agency and Spanish authorities to track the wanted person down to an address in the Craigavon area on Friday 23rd February.
Man Wanted On Murder Charge In Spain Arrested In Craigavon
A 22-year-old man wanted in Spain in connection with a murder investigation has been arrested in Craigavon. Officers from the PSNI's International Policing Unit and Lurgan Local Policing Team worked with the National Crime Agency and Spanish authorities to track the wanted person down to an address in the Craigavon area on Friday 23rd February.
08 March 2004
Policing Board unveil seven point plan
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has unveiled a seven point plan aimed at delivering effective and efficient policing across the province over the next three years.
Policing Board unveil seven point plan
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has unveiled a seven point plan aimed at delivering effective and efficient policing across the province over the next three years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
