Menu
01/10/2009
New Powers Will Tackle Minor Crimes
New police powers will cut down on the number of cases handled by the Northern Ireland courts, it has been claimed.
Revised legislation is set to give officers the right to issue more on-the-spot fines and cautions for minor offences.
It is believed the move will reduce the amount of paperwork constables have to produce.
Currently officers must create a prosecution file for every crime they deal with.
This can mean police become tied up behind station desks, time that many believe could be better spent 'on the beat'.
Greater powers for dealing with low level crime are already available to other UK forces.
Senior PSNI commanders have been calling on the Government to provide a similar system in Northern Ireland.
It is believed the NIO and PSNI have now reached agreement on the matter, and that an official announcement will be made soon.
SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood welcomed the decision, but insisted the new powers must be executed fairly and proportionately.
"It can be a quicker way of administering appropriate penalties rather than having the high administration of preparing a file, which too often goes nowhere. It may see more officers on the ground rather than behind desks.
"However, the SDLP will tread cautiously because past reforms of policing require further consideration on the ability of the police to act because of concerns in the past," he said.
Mr Attwood said these changes do little to "solve the weaknesses" in how the prosecution and the police handle far too many cases.
"Indeed, the SDLP believes there will be further evidence in the near future that will confirm that the system’s not working the way it should," he added.
(PR/KMcA)
Revised legislation is set to give officers the right to issue more on-the-spot fines and cautions for minor offences.
It is believed the move will reduce the amount of paperwork constables have to produce.
Currently officers must create a prosecution file for every crime they deal with.
This can mean police become tied up behind station desks, time that many believe could be better spent 'on the beat'.
Greater powers for dealing with low level crime are already available to other UK forces.
Senior PSNI commanders have been calling on the Government to provide a similar system in Northern Ireland.
It is believed the NIO and PSNI have now reached agreement on the matter, and that an official announcement will be made soon.
SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood welcomed the decision, but insisted the new powers must be executed fairly and proportionately.
"It can be a quicker way of administering appropriate penalties rather than having the high administration of preparing a file, which too often goes nowhere. It may see more officers on the ground rather than behind desks.
"However, the SDLP will tread cautiously because past reforms of policing require further consideration on the ability of the police to act because of concerns in the past," he said.
Mr Attwood said these changes do little to "solve the weaknesses" in how the prosecution and the police handle far too many cases.
"Indeed, the SDLP believes there will be further evidence in the near future that will confirm that the system’s not working the way it should," he added.
(PR/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
04 September 2009
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
02 April 2002
Trimble praises work of Northern Ireland Police Fund
Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has paid a visit to the offices of the Northern Ireland Police Fund which was set up to provide support for disabled police officers as well as for the families of murdered police officers.
Trimble praises work of Northern Ireland Police Fund
Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has paid a visit to the offices of the Northern Ireland Police Fund which was set up to provide support for disabled police officers as well as for the families of murdered police officers.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
