Police Reform: Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement
Implementations
Police Reform – 1998
The Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland also known as the Patten Commission began work shortly after its establishment on 3 June 3, 1998. Chris Patten chaired the eight-member Independent Commission. The commission’s main responsibility was to carry out a fundamental review of the overwhelmingly Protestant Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and recommend proposals for a new policing service that is “professional, effective and efficient, fair and impartial, free from partisan political control; accountable, both under the law for its actions and to the community it serves; representative of the society it polices, and operates within a coherent and cooperative criminal justice system, which conforms with human rights norms.” The commission organized a number of public and private meetings with youth groups. Estimated 10,000 people attended the public meetings with over 1,000 speaking. The commission also received more than approximately 2,500 individual written submission.1
- “A New Beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland,” Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, 1999, accessed January 29, 2013, http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/patten99.pdf.
Police Reform – 1999
In May/June 1999 the commission carried out a public opinion survey to understand public attitudes regarding policing in Northern Ireland. The commission also visited various places including a number of police services in Great Britain, South Africa, Spain, and the United States. On 9 September 1999, the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland submitted its report and made recommendations on issues related to human rights, accountability, policing with the community, structure of the police force, size of the police service, composition of the police service, and other issues. The commission made 175 recommendations.1 The unionist political reactions to the report and its recommendations were not positive.2“Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland,” BBC News, accessed January 29, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/agreement/policing/commissi…
Police Reform – 2000
As per the recommendation of the commission, an Oversight Commissioner was appointed in May 2000. The government published the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill on 16 May 2000, which was criticized by the SDLP and Sinn Fein. Amendments were made in the bill to address some of SDLP and Sinn Fein’s concerns to get their support for the Bill. The Bill received the Royal Assent on 23 November 2000.
Police Reform – 2001
Regarding implementation of the Patten Commission’s recommendations, Secretary of State John Reid published a 75-page long policing plan on 17 August 2001. The plan detailed progress made in areas of Ombudsman, appointment of an Oversight Commissioner, reduction in the police size as well as selecting new recruits on a 50:50 basis. A new Policing Board was set up in September. On 4 November 2001, Royal Ulster Constabulary changed its name to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. On 12 December, the Police Board also changed a badge for the new service and emblem.1“Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland,” accessed January 29, 2013, http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/agreement/policing/commissi…
Police Reform – 2002
Significant progress was made in terms of implementing Patten Commission’s recommendations. The first batch of recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland graduated in April 2002.1 Nevertheless, it was reported that some Catholic recruits received “actual intimidation.” Other reforms such as community policing and overhauling Special Branch lagged behind in terms of their implementation as suggested by Oversight Commissioner, Tom Constantine. Therefore, Britain revealed plans for increased police reform in November 2002.2
- “First recruits to new Northern Ireland police graduate amid political bickering”, Associated Press, April 5, 2002.
- “Britain reveals plans for increased police reforms in Northern Ireland”, Associated Press Worldstream, November 25, 2002.
Police Reform – 2003
A revised police act received a royal assent on 8 April 2003. In his detailed report, Oversight Commissioner Tom Constantine detailed progress s on 175 recommendations of the Patten Commission and suggested that most of the goals had been achieved, including the adoption of a new name, badges and uniforms.1
- “Northern Ireland police reform making ‘excellent progress,’ U.S. overseer says”, Associated Press, December 10, 2003.
Police Reform – 2004
While substantial police reform was achieved after the Patten Commission and its recommendations, Sinn Fein boycotted police reform with allegation of a significant gap between the original 1999 reform plan and the action taken by the British Government.1
- “Sinn Fein slowing Northern Ireland police reform, Canadian overseer says”, Associated Press, April 27, 2004.
Police Reform – 2005
No developments observed this year.
Police Reform – 2006
No developments observed this year.
Police Reform – 2007
Sinn Fein had demanded for the prompt and unconditional transfer of power to Northern Ireland. In February 2010 the hardliner Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein reached a deal and voted unanimously to approve a devolution bill that paved the way for the transfer of judicial and policing powers.1 A 13,000 strong police force is now reduced to 7,050 as of 2012 of which 30.41 % are Roman Catholic and 67.36% are Protestant. Also, the new police force contains 26.82% female officers.2“Workforce Composition Figures-Police Service of Northern Ireland,” accessed January 29, 2013, http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/updates_statistics/updates_workf…