Policing Past To Cost £190m

The cost of policing the past in Northern Ireland is expected to cost almost £190m over the next five years, according to a new report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI). The amount is expected to exceed £30m per year.

The inspection report found that while the cost of dealing with legacy issues had largely been absorbed by the criminal justice agencies, this had negative consequences for current day criminal justice issues.

"CJI undertook this inspection to provide information on the costs and impacts for the criminal justice system in dealing with the past," said Brendan McGuigan, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

"The report looked at the estimated total costs which may exceed over £187m in five years time, and the implications and risks that legacy issues can create in terms of reduced public confidence in the criminal justice system and the ability of criminal justice agencies to deliver effective and efficient services now and in the future."

Mr McGuigan did say there was a willingness among leaders and criminal justice organisations to meet and manage individual and collective obligations in relation to the past, but that this was undermined by delay caused by various agencies seeking to ensure individuals with the correct skills were allocated to addressing legacy issues.

"This report does not set out to indicate how the past should be approached or offer a view on the costs and impacts associated with this work. However, CJI believes that in the absence of political consensus, the establishment of a Legacy Executive Group - with membership drawn from across the criminal justice system - to improve communication and create a criminal justice wide legacy strategy, would be beneficial," said Mr McGuigan.

"This group could in turn address key issues such as the prioritisation, co-ordination and progression of legacy cases which may be beneficial in terms of managing the needs and expectations of victims and their families."

(IT/MH)