The Police Service’s Strategic Community Engagement Team (SCET) hosted a Reference, Engagement and Listening (REaL) Event at Ulster University in Belfast on 12 February 2024 with representatives from the PUL community from across Northern Ireland.
The organisations in attendance were the Apprentice Boys of Derry, Church of Ireland, Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Greater Shankill Policing Focus Group, Let’s Talk Loyalism, Londonderry Bands Forum, Methodist Church, Northern Ireland Alternatives, North West Cultural Partnership, Presbyterian Church, the Royal Black Institution, Resurgam, Sperrin Cultural Awareness Association and the Ulster-Scots Agency. Representatives from the Northern Ireland Policing Board were also present.
A full written briefing of issues highlighted and action taken since the last Reference, Engagement and Listening event in 2023 was provided to all attendees. This summary document is intended to capture some of the important highlights discussed across the focus groups and plenary session.
Procedural Fairness.
Can you tell us your views on whether there has been any change in community perceptions around ‘two-tier’ policing since the previous Reference, Engagement and Listening event in March 2023?
- A number of attendees expressed “cautious optimism” that the issues around ‘two-tier’ policing had improved since the previous REaL event held in March 2023. There was a sense from some that the Service has made tangible progress around addressing perceptions of ‘two-tier’ policing but others noted that it has “plateaued as the organisation has not been tested recently”. Some attendees noted that the update around notifiable membership highlighted the value in strategic level engagement with the Service.
- There was discussion within all of the focus groups around the decision making in Re JR168 and Another’s Application [2023] NIKB 83. References are made throughout the judgment by Mr Justice Scoffield to “the threat of Sinn Féin withdrawing support for policing… if immediate action was not taken in respect of the officers’ duty status” with a number of attendees highlighting that “policing decisions were made to appease particular political parties”. The issues raised within the judgment were described as still requiring “systematic change within the organisation” by a number of attendees. Others recognised that the Ormeau Road incident took place during the Covid-19 pandemic which placed a significant strain on policing during a public health crisis and acknowledged the work done since by the Service to improve community engagement, particularly through the leadership of ACC Singleton.
- The discussions also highlighted that a perception continues to exist that the Service has taken a different approach to bandsmen involved in un-notified parades opposing the Northern Ireland Protocol during 2021 and dissident republican parades where Police were described as “avoiding dealing with them”. It is worth highlighting that Police will conduct investigations where appropriate but that it is for the Public Prosecution Service to determine whether a case will go to court.
- Despite acknowledging these issues, there remains a willingness across the community representatives to further improve relationships with policing and ensure lines of dialogue remain open when challenging issues emerge. There was an emphasis across the groups on developing relationships at a local level, particularly ahead of the summer period. A concern around the constant movement of Police Officers was raised again as this continues to significantly impact on relationship building due to “corporate amnesia” and an “inconsistent corporate response” to issues involving the community. This has resulted in some of the groups represented at the event “acting as a buffer” between the community and the PSNI.
- One group highlighted that a “negative public discourse” exists around the PUL community’s expression of culture with attacks on Orange Halls referenced. It was also highlighted that most individuals within the community who are involved in parading will not be aware of the Service’s REaL events at this strategic level and therefore more needs to be done to “build relationships at the grassroots”. This group suggested that the PSNI should hold similar events with local communities to explain their processes and procedures as this may assist in alleviating the sense of ‘two-tier’ policing. A range of resources have been developed centrally to assist District colleagues in running local level REaL events.
- Concerns were also articulated in relation to the approach to using Police resources to deal with street preachers by some attendees. It was acknowledged that this can be a complex issue as it requires the Service to balance the human rights of a range of parties; guidance has been developed around Street Preaching and Proselytism to help equip Officers to deal professionally and confidently with incidents where police engagement is required.
Attraction and Recruitment
How could you assist the PSNI in developing our workforce to ensure that it is representative of the communities we serve? Are there events or key locations that the Service could target or specific groups that would benefit from engagement as part of any upcoming Officer recruitment later in 2024?
- It was highlighted that the PSNI should focus on increasing the number of working class members of the PUL community which remains under-represented. However, there was recognition that this will not be a “quick fix” but that a focus on working class communities rather than religion was required. In addition, a number of groups highlighted the importance of building and maintaining good relationships with communities as a method of gradually breaking down barriers to recruiting from under-represented groups. There was acknowledgment around the challenges associated with Officers living and working within the same area but it was suggested that increased visibility of working class Officers would aid in attracting community members to consider a career in Policing. In the absence of this, there was recognition that engagement through schools in particular is a valuable method in terms of planning for the future.
- There was concern that the low starting salary for Police Officers and the perception around the current low morale present barriers to the working class PUL community considering the Police as a career of choice. In addition, many of the groups discussed minimum entry requirements for Police Staff roles which also require five GCSEs. It is also worth noting that the Service accepts a wide range of equivalent Level 2 qualifications, for example, Level 2 Literacy, Numeracy, ICT etc. which are widely available to complete via Further Education Colleges within a short timeframe and may be free of charge depending on individual circumstances. Further information around this is available via the Service’s recruitment website under ‘Education FAQs’.
- A query also arose within one group in relation to the current rules around tattoos, specifically in relation to Police Officer recruitment. It is worth noting that tattoos do not preclude individuals from joining the PSNI as a police officer or member of police staff. Candidates will be asked to provide details regarding their tattoos as part of the vetting process if successful in the assessment stages. Particular consideration will be given to any tattoos on the head, face, neck and hands or tattoos which are visible when in uniform. However, tattoos that could be reasonably interpreted as offensive to members of the public and colleagues due to their content or alignment with a particularly group will not be permitted.
- A number of suggestions were also made in relation to events which the Service could potentially look to get involved in, such as those associated with Armed Forces Day which is due to take place in June 2024. It was also noted that there are opportunities around the annual parading season with events at Scarva highlighted as an engagement option for the Service. Another suggestion was made around the development of a broader Criminal Justice Careers Fair which could be considered in collaboration with community groups. There was also discussion around the role for positive engagement by existing Officers and Staff in promoting the Service as a viable career option for all.
Neighbourhood Policing
Policing and Community Safety Partnerships and Districts are currently developing their Local Policing Plans for 2024- 2025. Are there particular priorities that should be reflected in these and what does success look like at a local level for the coming year?
- There remains a concern around how neighbourhood policing impacts different areas, particularly in terms of a rural/urban split. A lack of visibility in rural areas was highlighted as an issue. In addition, a focus on drug dealing and hate crime were highlighted as a priorities for communities.
- There was mixed feedback around Policing Plans with some feedback suggesting that the effectiveness of Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) was limited and at times had a “political agenda due to their make-up”. One issue raised was around increased tensions at interfaces in the Belfast area and a sense that more could be done with the Education Authority to address anti-social behaviour.
- One group highlighted the positive Police response to issues that arose during a parade in Ballycastle on 12 July 2023. However, some of the groups urged the Service to do more to “get good news stories out to local communities” which may help in countering the ‘two-tier’ narrative, highlighting the value of promoting positive work such as the seizure of an estimated £10 million of cocaine in Jonesborough in December 2023.