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07/03/2005
PSNI praised for human rights efforts
The PSNI has been praised for its role in promoting human rights within the force, a report has said today.
The report, by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, is the first of its kind within UK policing providing “a detailed examination and assessment of the integration of human rights in 12 key areas of the PSNI’s work."
The report’s authors, Keir Starmer QC and Jane Gordon, said that the PSNI "has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance and in many respects we have been very impressed with the work the PSNI has undertaken in the human rights field".
They added: “The fact that a range of recommendations have been made does not mean we have found widespread lack of compliance with the Human Rights Act".
In providing an assessment of progress made by the PSNI, the Board’s Advisors said: “Whilst a high numbers of officers across all ranks and with varying lengths of service demonstrate a good base level knowledge of human rights, the PSNI must ensure that officers maintain, develop and apply that knowledge in their work.
“It is therefore essential that human rights principles are fully integrated into all aspects of PSNI training and areas of concern identified in relation to training and other areas of this report are given urgent attention.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie said the report acknowledged the advances the PSNI had made in ensuring that Human Rights lay at the heart of policing.
“The report acknowledges that the initiatives introduced by the PSNI go well beyond those adopted by most other police services and that it has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance,” she said.
However, Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said today’s report “lacked credibility”.
“This is nothing less than self congratulatory nonsense that will do nothing to generate confidence in the PSNI,” Mr Kelly said.
The report, which is a study of how police have complied with the act from 2003 onwards, was handed to Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Monday.
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The report, by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, is the first of its kind within UK policing providing “a detailed examination and assessment of the integration of human rights in 12 key areas of the PSNI’s work."
The report’s authors, Keir Starmer QC and Jane Gordon, said that the PSNI "has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance and in many respects we have been very impressed with the work the PSNI has undertaken in the human rights field".
They added: “The fact that a range of recommendations have been made does not mean we have found widespread lack of compliance with the Human Rights Act".
In providing an assessment of progress made by the PSNI, the Board’s Advisors said: “Whilst a high numbers of officers across all ranks and with varying lengths of service demonstrate a good base level knowledge of human rights, the PSNI must ensure that officers maintain, develop and apply that knowledge in their work.
“It is therefore essential that human rights principles are fully integrated into all aspects of PSNI training and areas of concern identified in relation to training and other areas of this report are given urgent attention.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie said the report acknowledged the advances the PSNI had made in ensuring that Human Rights lay at the heart of policing.
“The report acknowledges that the initiatives introduced by the PSNI go well beyond those adopted by most other police services and that it has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance,” she said.
However, Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said today’s report “lacked credibility”.
“This is nothing less than self congratulatory nonsense that will do nothing to generate confidence in the PSNI,” Mr Kelly said.
The report, which is a study of how police have complied with the act from 2003 onwards, was handed to Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Monday.
(MB)
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