Menu
18/04/2011
PSNI Promises Feedback On Crime
NI's police are making a set of promises this week that may prove to be hard to keep.
The new set of commitments has been put forward by PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to help increase accountability.
He said that leaflets outlining the proposals would be delivered to around 750,000 households across Northern Ireland over the coming weeks explaining what people can expect from the police.
One move - something that has often been promised at local community/policing meetings but not delivered - will be 'feedback' when those affected by crime or who have simply reported incidents will be phoned and asked to assess the way their case was handled.
The Chief Constable will use this data from the public on how they were treated to aid or block officers' promotion hopes, as the information collected will be used in future job interviews.
Emergency calls will be picked up by an operator within seconds - with a promise of a caller being spoken to within 10 seconds - again an easy pledge to make but one that will prove less practical when call volumes are high.
As well as keeping people updated with the progress of investigations, key community priorities, such as tackling anti-social behaviour - again a major point of debate in community policing meetings - are being promised to receive priority attention.
"We are setting standards in relation to neighbourhood policing, what people can expect when they phone the police for help, our desire to make sure all victims of crime are kept updated," Matt Baggott said.
On the new officer appraisal system, which will see around 9,000 people called, he said this will come into operation this autumn.
"When people want to move on in their career, whether that's a promotion or anything else, one of the fundamental questions they will be asked is: what did the public think of you?" Mr Baggott explained.
Mr Baggott said the pledges represent a significant change and that he had decided to publish them because his career had shown the method worked.
With most communities reporting problems with 'youths causing annoyance' otherwise known as anti-social social behaviour, one area has meanwhile successfully tackled the issue with a fall of almost a third in part of Co Down.
The success rate is being put down to a unique unit set-up in Newtownards police station.
The Ards anti-social behaviour team is employed by Ards Council and respond to calls from concerned residents.
The civilian team works two shifts a week and every weekend and liaise with the police.
Such problems are widespread however and the SDLP South Antrim Assembly candidate, Thomas Burns, has called for a greater police presence at the Rathenraw estate in Antrim following disturbances there last weekend.
Mr Burns said there were concerns that tensions were allowed to run high.
"I condemn the latest violence and call for greater police presence in the area. There has been a concern from some residents that police have turned a blind eye to tension in the area.
"I urge the local community to work with the police in a bid to ease tensions. We cannot have any more disturbances like this because it's doing nothing for the area and is affecting the lives of vast majority of good people here," he said.
See: PSNI Refute 'Community Policing Vacuum'
See: Anti-Social Behaviour Plagues NI
See: Glengormley Trouble Slammed
See: Politicians Shun Community Policing Meeting
(BMcC/GK)
The new set of commitments has been put forward by PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to help increase accountability.
He said that leaflets outlining the proposals would be delivered to around 750,000 households across Northern Ireland over the coming weeks explaining what people can expect from the police.
One move - something that has often been promised at local community/policing meetings but not delivered - will be 'feedback' when those affected by crime or who have simply reported incidents will be phoned and asked to assess the way their case was handled.
The Chief Constable will use this data from the public on how they were treated to aid or block officers' promotion hopes, as the information collected will be used in future job interviews.
Emergency calls will be picked up by an operator within seconds - with a promise of a caller being spoken to within 10 seconds - again an easy pledge to make but one that will prove less practical when call volumes are high.
As well as keeping people updated with the progress of investigations, key community priorities, such as tackling anti-social behaviour - again a major point of debate in community policing meetings - are being promised to receive priority attention.
"We are setting standards in relation to neighbourhood policing, what people can expect when they phone the police for help, our desire to make sure all victims of crime are kept updated," Matt Baggott said.
On the new officer appraisal system, which will see around 9,000 people called, he said this will come into operation this autumn.
"When people want to move on in their career, whether that's a promotion or anything else, one of the fundamental questions they will be asked is: what did the public think of you?" Mr Baggott explained.
Mr Baggott said the pledges represent a significant change and that he had decided to publish them because his career had shown the method worked.
With most communities reporting problems with 'youths causing annoyance' otherwise known as anti-social social behaviour, one area has meanwhile successfully tackled the issue with a fall of almost a third in part of Co Down.
The success rate is being put down to a unique unit set-up in Newtownards police station.
The Ards anti-social behaviour team is employed by Ards Council and respond to calls from concerned residents.
The civilian team works two shifts a week and every weekend and liaise with the police.
Such problems are widespread however and the SDLP South Antrim Assembly candidate, Thomas Burns, has called for a greater police presence at the Rathenraw estate in Antrim following disturbances there last weekend.
Mr Burns said there were concerns that tensions were allowed to run high.
"I condemn the latest violence and call for greater police presence in the area. There has been a concern from some residents that police have turned a blind eye to tension in the area.
"I urge the local community to work with the police in a bid to ease tensions. We cannot have any more disturbances like this because it's doing nothing for the area and is affecting the lives of vast majority of good people here," he said.
See: PSNI Refute 'Community Policing Vacuum'
See: Anti-Social Behaviour Plagues NI
See: Glengormley Trouble Slammed
See: Politicians Shun Community Policing Meeting
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
28 March 2007
House of Lords vote for ‘50/50’ police force
The House of Lords has renewed the 50/50 recruitment rule for the PSNI by a majority of 44. It puts into practice a recommendation made in 1999 by Lord Patten that the local police force should be split evenly between Catholics and Protestants. The result of the vote was 141 to 97.
House of Lords vote for ‘50/50’ police force
The House of Lords has renewed the 50/50 recruitment rule for the PSNI by a majority of 44. It puts into practice a recommendation made in 1999 by Lord Patten that the local police force should be split evenly between Catholics and Protestants. The result of the vote was 141 to 97.
29 May 2008
Welcome For Antrim Project's Job Creation
A new community-based develoment which is creating employment opportunities in Co Antrim has been welcomed by the NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. She helped to launch the new, mixed-use resource and business project in Antrim town.
Welcome For Antrim Project's Job Creation
A new community-based develoment which is creating employment opportunities in Co Antrim has been welcomed by the NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. She helped to launch the new, mixed-use resource and business project in Antrim town.
14 December 2018
Police Disciplined Over Coleraine Pub Fight
PSNI failings compromised an investigation into off-duty police officers involved in a fight with members of the public, the Police Ombudsman has found.
Police Disciplined Over Coleraine Pub Fight
PSNI failings compromised an investigation into off-duty police officers involved in a fight with members of the public, the Police Ombudsman has found.
04 September 2007
NI Policing Board Seeks Custody Visitors
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has launched a campaign to recruit Custody Visitors to join the Board’s Custody Visiting Scheme. The volunteer scheme, which operates throughout Northern Ireland, is a means of monitoring how people who are held in police custody are treated.
NI Policing Board Seeks Custody Visitors
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has launched a campaign to recruit Custody Visitors to join the Board’s Custody Visiting Scheme. The volunteer scheme, which operates throughout Northern Ireland, is a means of monitoring how people who are held in police custody are treated.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
