Why is Tenure Policy necessary?
The Tenure Policy is a recommendation of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland (Patten). It is designed to make sure that officers do not become so highly specialised in any given area that they lose sight of core policing functions.
When developing the policy, PSNI took account of the experience of UK services and the policy is now flexible enough to meet the Patten need while recognising the need for “professionalised policing”. The Policing Board will monitor and review PSNI's implementation of the policy.
What is the Policing Board’s position on the Full Time Reserve?
The Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland (Patten) recommended that the PSNI should not include a Full Time Reserve. The Policing Board recognises the contribution that Reserve officers have made and have always wanted to provide clarity and ensure that they are treated fairly.
In October 2002, the Policing Board endorsed a Human Resources Strategy which was designed to meet the future staffing requirements of the PSNI over the next eight to ten years. At that time, the Policing Board agreed that the plan and timescales for the phasing out of the Full-Time Reserve, by late 2006, would be subject to the ongoing success of the PSNI recruitment campaigns and that there was no further deterioration of the security situation beyond that which existed in October 2002. The Chief Constable completed his assessment and informed the Policing Board at a Special Meeting on 9 September 2004 that 7,500 police officers and 6080 retained FTR officers would be sufficient to deliver an effective policing service and that the decision will not adversely impact upon the ability to deliver front-line policing services. The Policing Board will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Does the Policing Board support the use of Special Constables on a voluntary basis?
The use of Special Constables has not been discussed. At this stage the Policing Board support the introduction of Police Community Support Officers, which are an important addition to the extended police family.
Does the Policing Board set targets in terms of sickness absence that PSNI have to meet?
Yes. As part of its monitoring role the Policing Board establishes targets for the management of Sickness Absence which the Chief Constable seeks to attain as part of the Policing Plan. For the year 2006/7, the Policing Board has set the Chief Constable a target to reduce the average annual level of sick absence to 12 days for both police officers and support staff. The targets have been further broken down for police officers into regular and full time reserve. Regular officer’s target is 11 days per year with Reserve officers 12 days. Police staff target is also 12 days. Current Home Office targets for Police Services in England and Wales to achieve are Police Officers, 8 days, Police Staff, 9 days. Total costs to PSNI as a result of high levels of sickness in 2005/6 amounted to £22.6m. This is an area of concern and our targets reflect this.
What is the Policing Board’s role in respect of complaints?
The Police Ombudsman investigates complaints against police officers below the rank of Assistant Chief Constable (ACC). The Policing Board is the disciplinary authority for officers at ACC rank and above.