The Police Service’s Strategic Community Engagement Team (SCET) hosted a Reference, Engagement and Listening (REaL) Event at Newforge, Belfast on 28 November 2023 with representatives from the LGBTQ+ community from across Northern Ireland. The event centred on focus group discussions linked to several of the five pillars contained within the ‘Here for You’ Engagement Vision, namely attraction and recruitment, procedural fairness and local accountability. There was a focus on the guidance developed by the Service for officers dealing with incidents of preaching and proselytism.
The organisations in attendance were Fermanagh Pride, Mermaids NI, Rainbow Project, Rainbow Refugees, LGBTQIA United Communities and QueerSpace. Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Belfast City Council and the Police Service’s LGBT Network were also in attendance. Apologies were received from Belfast Pride, Cara-Friend, HERe NI, Mid Ulster Pride and TransgenderNI.
This summary document captures some of the important highlights and feedback discussed across the focus groups and plenary session.
Street Preaching and Proselytism
Attendees were provided with copies of the interim guidance developed by the PSNI on Street Preaching and Proselytism to help equip Officers to deal professionally and confidently with incidents where police engagement is required. Public external guidance can also be found on the PSNI’s website. A range of feedback was provided:
- Attendees were broadly supportive of the content of the guidance, highlighting that it provided reassurance that the matter was being given focus by Police. It gives an indication that the Service is aware that there is need to improve understanding and confidence around this issue.
- The discussions highlighted the continued dissatisfaction within the groups around how the PSNI responds to street preaching issues where the community takes the view that the threshold for criminality has been crossed. Some concerns were highlighted around the practicalities associated with the PSNI response in the future as Officers still do not appear to know what to do which gives a sense of “permissibility” around the issue. The guidance was described as being “well intentioned” but some queried whether it would be enough to equip Officers with the information needed to deal with any incidents confidently and professionally.
- Suggestions to include examples of inappropriate language and further training were made within the focus groups. There were other suggestions that the content of the guidance could be simplified further to make it more easily digestible. However, it was noted that the document contains a helpful summary of the relevant legislation and that Officers also need to be trusted to make common sense judgements. The document contains a graduated approach with practical advice, including around the importance of deploying Body Worn Video when necessary which should also help improve community confidence.
- Some focus groups discussed the culture within the PSNI with concerns that Officers may fear taking action in certain situations due to an environment of fear of serious consequences for making a mistake. This was acknowledged as an issue but it was noted that this guidance is intended to help move the Service towards being a learning organisation which gives Officers the right tools to enable them in their roles and to provide a rationale for any action taken in a particular situation.
- There was a desire to see improved engagement ahead of large events where Street Preaching may be an issue so that Officers understand the perspective of the LGBTQ+ community when policing these events.
Online Reporting
How should the Police Service seek to deal with identifications of sex, gender and gender identity when collecting data as part of our online crime reporting system? Should we use male, female, prefer not to say, unknown?
- There was a consensus across all the groups that this question required further consideration. There were a range of views on the removal of “transgender” and particular concerns around the inclusion of the term “unknown”. It was explained during the plenary session that this term was for occasions when the report was made by a third party and the gender of the subject of the report was not known. Utilising the term “not known” instead of “unknown” was a suggestion.
- Furthermore, it was highlighted during the plenary that the issue of recording was being discussed at a national level with PSNI watching this closely. Recommendations made during the discussion included creating a free text option that allowed service users to input any words and engaging with Diversity Mark around best practice. Further communication on this issue may be required as the situation develops nationally.
Attraction and Recruitment
Are there any further cultural challenges or barriers to members of the LGBTQ+ community considering a career in policing?
- The groups highlighted concerns around the employment of psychiatrist Professor Paul Miller by the PSNI which was reported in the media in early November 2023. ACC Singleton and ACO Duffield met with the Rainbow Project and HERe NI to discuss this separately but it was noted that the issue created a perception that the PSNI was “not a safe environment for LGBTQ+ staff”. There was recognition that this had caused reputational damage and assurances were provided that a review around PSNI procurement was underway but that all the right checks were followed in this case.
- The use of pronouns on PSNI name badges was discussed. It was agreed that this should be an individual choice for Officers but that this would assist in showing the PSNI was a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
- The important role of the Service’s LGBT Network in creating a safe space for its members but also acting as role models to those considering a career in Policing was emphasised.
- The need for further emphasis to be placed on the daily interactions of Police with the LGBTQ+ community was highlighted. The way in which Officers speak with the community and how they deal with victims, particularly hate crime victims, will impact on attraction and recruitment for the longer term.
Pride
Can you tell us your views on how the Police Service could get involved in Pride ahead of the 2024 Season in a way that builds confidence in the community but also adheres to our Code of Ethics and the requirement for impartiality?
- The Service’s continued participation in the Village during Pride was seen as a positive in 2023. However, there was a recognition that building relationships back to where they were prior to Service’s decision not to participate in the 2023 Belfast Pride Parade in uniform would take time.
- Some attendees queried whether the decision taken in 2023 could be reversed. However, ACC Singleton explained that this would not be possible given the existing statutory obligations, the ‘Off Duty Standards’ Policy and Code of Ethics for impartiality which prohibit officers from wearing their uniform or being identifiable as police when engaging in ‘cause issues’. It was also noted that all requests for participation in events are now being dealt with through the draft ‘Participation in Events’ framework which helps to codify policy and practice in this area.
- There were suggestions around co-designing an event with Belfast Pride organisers in 2024 involving senior representation as well as considering an apology to the community for historic mistreatment which a number of other Police Forces across the UK have already undertaken. There was discussion around the potential to get involved in an event like “Pride Talks Back” where the PSNI is prepared to answer questions from the LGBTQ+ community. This was recognised as likely to be beneficial although it was noted that initial events like this would likely be difficult for Police and would require senior representation. Another suggestion was made around developing a Q&A event involving a range of justice organisations to help explain their roles and decision making across the wider system.
- The Service’s LGBT Network provided an overview of a survey that was recently conducted with their members in one of the focus groups which highlighted that members were fairly evenly split on whether or not they agreed with the decision around walking in the Pride Parade.
- One suggestion was made that the Policing Board could potentially take part in the Pride Parade on behalf of Officers and Staff.
Conclusion
The Strategic Community Engagement Team appreciated the time you took to provide views around the interim guidance on Street Preaching and Proselytism. The Service has now finalised this guidance and it has been issued to all Officers and Staff. The guidance will be included in Gold, Silver and Bronze strategies where relevant to ensure it receives greater prominence in the planning and deployment of future operations and specific information will also be included in Operational Orders and briefings to crews involved during events. The team will also be exploring potential events ahead of the 2024 Pride Season in the coming weeks. We look forward to holding another REaL event during Spring 2024 where organisations will again have the opportunity to meet and engage with senior representatives from the Police Service. Any views on this summary document or any further feedback would be very welcome.