To reflect on the achievements and challenges of police reform over the last 15 years the Northern Ireland Policing Board and Police Service of Northern Ireland are jointly hosting a seminar this evening to mark the milestone anniversary.
With academic reflection on the change programme being provided by Dr Aogán Mulcahy, University College Dublin and Professor Richard English Queen’s University Belfast, the seminar ‘Reflecting and Refocusing :15 years on’ will examine progress since 2001, some of the unforeseen challenges in delivery of the policing reform programme and consider the future issues relevant to sustaining the progress made.
Speaking about the anniversary event, Board Chair Anne Connolly said:
“Fifteen years on policing remains a key part of the fabric of our society and continues to progress and evolve. Within the now established policing architecture we have a model of accountability that has stood the test of time and provides an oversight framework that remains essential for confidence building in the community.
Whilst we must protect the fundamentals of our policing reforms into the future, we must also adapt to the ever-changing policing landscape. There are factors that focus our minds now that we hadn’t even comprehended 15 years ago or thought would shape or impact our society.
Changing crime, changing policing demands, changing technology and most importantly changing budgets. There are also new opportunities to work more collaboratively but we must also make sure that policing is properly resourced to meet the demands now being faced so that our community is safe and protected from harm.
Chief Constable George Hamilton said: “This conference is designed to provide us with a critical opportunity to reflect on what we have learned over the last fifteen years; and refocus to meet the very significant challenges in the years ahead.
“While the challenges are significant, I remain enormously optimistic about what can be achieved when police, partners and the community work together. It takes leadership and bravery from all of us, but anything is possible when there is a shared commitment to a safe, confident and peaceful society.”
The event is being livestreamed and can be viewed through the Board’s You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/nipolicingboard
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For further information please contact the Northern Ireland Policing Board Communications Office on 07810 521052