Northern Ireland Policing Board

The announcement made today (5 February) by the Prime Minister, the Taoiseach along with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, that the devolution of policing and justice powers will transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly has been welcomed by the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board (the Board), Barry Gilligan.                

“The agreement reached on the transfer of policing and justice powers marks another historic milestone for policing and for politics; and devolution day itself on 12 April 2010 will be another defining moment in Northern Ireland’s recent history.

The Board and the PSNI are ready for devolution and look forward to building on the substantial progress made in policing in recent years.  Central to all of this is ensuring the delivery of a first class policing service to the people and further building public confidence.

Whilst the Board’s oversight role and powers will remain unchanged following devolution, the working relationship that develops between the Board, the Minister for Justice and the Statutory Committee will be of critical importance. It is also imperative to ensure the protection of the Chief Constable’s day-to-day operational independence.

Of course with democratic accountability also comes responsibility.  Over the last number of years the Board has worked diligently to ensure the successful delivery of independent policing oversight and the delivery of a major policing reform programme.  Whilst this work will continue, devolution will undoubtedly bring some new challenges and opportunities for policing, and in working with the wider criminal justice sector the Board look forward to playing a full role in ensuring the success of the new devolved arrangements.”

Ends

For further information please contact the Northern Ireland Policing Board Press Office on 028 9040 8565 / 07801 738795

Notes to Editors

1. Report of the Independent Commission on Policing: September 1999:

Recommendation 20: Responsibility for policing should be devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive as soon as possible, except for matters of national security.

Recommendation 21: The powers of the Policing Board proposed in this report, in relation to both government and the Chief Constable, should in no way be diminished when the Government role in the tri partite arrangements passes to the Northern Ireland Executive.