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The role of the Operational Policy Unit is to develop and maintain policy to support operational police officers in Keeping People Safe. All policies are screened against Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Policy also meets integrity standards and complies with the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Code of Ethics. 

Areas of responsibility include policy for:

  • Police searches
  • Uniform and protective measures
  • Public order
  • Use of force
  • Less lethal options available to police officers
  • Use of force monitoring form
  • Coroner liaison

The unit also liaises with external statutory and voluntary agencies and individuals to support the organisational objective of keeping people safe through policing with the community. Policy is constantly reviewed in line with legislative and operational requirements as well as accepted recommendations from external reviews or investigations.