Thursday, 1 August 2019
Sometimes people talk about a 100 Day Plan when new leaders take up their roles.
I guess people have different views about how relevant that approach is to the modern world - but a month into my new job I thought it was time to share a few reflections as I take up the reins of leading the PSNI.
Firstly, a combination of events across Northern Ireland coupled with an eagerness to learn, has resulted in many meetings with a diverse range of people right across our policing districts.
I have been highly impressed with the calibre and professionalism of the many officers and staff who I’ve had the privilege of meeting whilst out and about.
I’ve met politicians, civil servants, community and business representatives, criminal justice partners, civic leaders, media, clergy and of course the general public. If there is a consistent theme emerging from all these interactions, it is about how open and friendly people that I have met have been.
This sits well with another early conclusion, that there is a real clamour both from the public and our officers and staff to invest more people and time in community and neighbourhood policing. That is really encouraging. My vision for the PSNI is to lead an organisation that is responsive, visible, accessible and with a clear victim focus.
Early priorities therefore will be to see how we grow the neighbourhood policing footprint and how, through our use of 101 and other platforms, we improve our engagement with the public. I will outline more of my intentions at my first meeting with the Policing Board later in the summer.
I have said in the past that you cannot run a large organisation from behind your desk and I want to continue in this vein in the months ahead as I see first-hand what makes the place tick. I feel excited to be part of an organisation where there is a strong sense of vocation and serving the public and I very much look forward to dealing with the many challenges that lie ahead.
Simon Byrne
Friday, 4 July 2019
Chief Constable Simon Byrne has had a busy first week at the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Watch the video below to find out more.
