Question
Re recommendation for PSNI from the Muckamore Inquiry. He referenced Recommendation 88 and asked the CC what is meant by a more structured approach to an investigation file and the escalation process when delays are expected. The Chief Constable advised he would revert in writing.
Response
Answer
Q. Background context
The Chief Constable in a previous written response to Brendan Mullan outlined that the PSNI have in place a structured approach to investigation file reviews with an escalation process where delays are experienced.
What is meant by a more structured approach to an investigation file and the escalation process where delays are expected?
- The current structure for reviewing investigation files can be broken down as follows: Supervisors, normally at Sergeant/Detective Sergeant rank review ongoing investigation files with the Investigating Officer, (normally at Constable/Detective Constable rank) every 28 days.
- Both the supervisor and investigating officer will get an automatic notification to perform this review via the NICHE police case management system. The results of this review are also recorded on the investigation log (Occurrence Enquiry Log-OEL). Whereby Investigating Officers and/or Supervisors can escalate any potential delays.
- Managers, normally at Inspector/Detective Inspector level will review ongoing investigations as SIO every 56 days to provide further oversight of how an investigation is progressing, noting any significant issues such as expected use to reference matters of concern with an investigation if they feel it merits further escalation to command level.
- Senior leaders such as Local Commanders/Heads of Branch use a performance management system (PULSE) to conduct monthly checks on investigations, particularly around investigation timeliness. The results of these are discussed at a monthly performance meeting with Senior Managers (normally Chief Inspector/Detective Chief Inspector Level) whereby any significant issues can be escalated to senior leaders.
- Further to the above in October 2025 the PSNI introduced a new oversight procedure for file quality and timeliness, namely a quarterly meeting chaired by a Chief Inspector from PSNI Criminal Justice Branch and attended by PSNI performance Chief Inspectors (mainly from Local Policing Teams) and Assistant Directors from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
- This meeting provides a forum to discuss any file quality and timeliness issues and is informed by the latest performance data gathered from the PULSE system or from specific cases brought forward by PSNI and/or PPS colleagues. It enables PPS colleagues to provide advice and guidance to address performance issues.
- The outworking of these meetings are fed into both the Justice Branch quarterly performance meeting chaired by the Assistant Chief Constable and the joint Working Together Project Board co-chaired by the ACC and Deputy Director of the PPS. Therefore providing another mechanism for the escalation of issues that cannot be resolved at a lower level.
- Discussion is currently underway between colleagues in Criminal Justice Branch and Crime Department as to how to integrate their senior managers into this process so as to provide them with this additional oversight/escalation mechanism going forward.
Trevor Clarke MLA - DUP