08/03/2005

Minority views sought on local policing

An independent research project has been launched to look in detail at the views, attitudes and experiences of people from ethnic minorities as well as the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities in Northern Ireland towards the PSNI, the Policing Board, DPP’s and the Police Ombudsman.

The Institute for Conflict Research (ICR) will conduct the research with the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities and the Coalition on Sexual Orientation advising the project steering group.

Commenting on the project, Policing Board Chairman, Sir Desmond Rea said: “Respecting and protecting the rights of all is an essential component of policing and it is important that people take their opportunity to have their views heard.

“The Northern Ireland Policing Board, the District Policing Partnerships and our fellow organisations are committed to addressing any issues that are highlighted in this work.

Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan said that public agencies in Northern Ireland were now compelled by legislation to ensure that their services are readily accessible by various ‘minority’ communities: “It is important that no member of the public feels they cannot access policing or the various mechanisms of police accountability because of issues such as their ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

"One of the things I would be hoping from this research is that if people are having difficulties that these issues are identified and we can do something about it.”

Material will be gathered through telephone, postal and online surveys, and through a series of ‘focus groups’ across Northern Ireland.

(MB/SP)

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