Will some rural stations close if the number of District Command Units (DCUs) reduces to seven or eight?
The operational structure of PSNI may well be subject to change over the next few years, following the outcome of the Review of Public Administration within Northern Ireland. Changes in operational structures may well have implications for the PSNI estate.
However, even before the number of DCUs reduces, some rural and urban stations will close, as they will be reviewed as part of the PSNI Estate Strategy. The PSNI Estate Strategy was endorsed by the Policing Board in May 2005, with the overarching aim to develop a police estate that is appropriate and fit for purpose. The strategy sets out in detail how, over the five year period to 2010, PSNI will invest £200 million on the construction of new stations, maintenance and upgrade programmes, running costs and security review measures, including softening a substantial proportion of the Estates. A key element of the Estate Strategy is the desire to support the delivery of local community based policing, an inherent part of which is full community consultation, leading to the review of specific stations based on alternative, improved community policing plans.
61 stations, 51 in rural region and 10 in urban region, are due to be reviewed by 2010. To date, the Policing Board has endorsed the Chief Constable’s decisions to close 19 stations and keep open four stations.
How can there be more visible policing if we close rural stations?
The PSNI District Commanders will prepare plans in relation to potential closures of stations in which all aspects of community consultation, and development of alternative policing strategies are considered in detail, examples of which are the use of shop fronts, other non-police property such as Community facilities, or mobile police facilities. These plans are discussed with the District Policing Partnership (DPP) before being submitted to the Policing Board for consideration, review and endorsement prior to any action being taken to close a station. It is evident that there is a clear linkage between a potential closure of an under-utilised PSNI station and the development of a more flexible, responsive facility enabling greater access by the community and providing a more direct and open policing service. The expectation is that more officers will be available for front line policing, as officers will no longer be required to guard PSNI stations for example.
The PSNI recognises that a communication and information sharing strategy addressing concerns of local communities is essential to providing reassurance where reviews of stations are being progressed. In addition, it is recognised that a review of the effectiveness of policing strategies should be conducted at local level after the closure of specific stations, to ensure service provision is maintained and enhanced.