This afternoon I was delighted to attend a PSNI Careers Seminar in Cookstown Leisure Centre organised by 'F' district. The seminar was open to year 13 pupils and their Careers Teachers, and 24 schools from across the police district were represented at the event.
The ‘One Service Many Careers’ event was about showcasing the very many opportunities that exist for police officers and support staff to have a career in the Police Service and to allow them to see first hand the equipment and talk to the officers and staff who make up the various disciplines across the Service.
Today was primarily about providing the young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions about a potential career in the wider police family and to show them how they could have the opportunity to make a real and meaningful difference in their communities should they choose to pursue a career in policing.
As each group moved around the various sections they received presentations from officers and support staff, such as Uniformed Police, Tactical Support, Roads Policing and Armed Response, Detectives, Scientific Support, Analysts, Occupational Health, Corporate Communications and Legal Services. Students were shown how the many aspects of the Police Service of Northern Ireland work to support each other, how they join up to provide a service to the community and how they work as many careers in one service.
As I moved around the various sections with some of the young people, I enjoyed the opportunity to talk to as many of them as possible and was greatly encouraged by the questions they asked and the interest they showed. This was a pilot scheme today, and once we have had the opportunity to fully evaluate and debrief the event we hope based on the initial feedback to run a number of similar events across Northern Ireland.
I want to place on record my thanks to the young people and teachers who attended the event toady and to my colleagues in the district and various branches who supported it. It really was a fantastic showcase for the Police Service of Northern Ireland in all of its diversity, and for everything that is good about a career in policing.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Carjacking Update
If you routinely follow my Blog you will know that a few weeks ago I highlighted the issues of 'carjacking'.
Since then, we have established a taskforce to address the issue. A dedicated investigation team has been appointed to pursue all available evidential lines of enquiry in relation to these incidents. Leaflets detailing crime prevention advice have also been circulated by Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the Greater Belfast area.
Over the past number of weeks we searched 14 houses, made 10 arrests and have undertaken three video identification processes, with a further two more planned. As a consequence of our proactive operations we have also made an additional 55 arrests for various offences. The investigation processes against those arrested are at various stages. In addition various items have been seized and are currently being examined to determine potential forensic opportunities.
Whilst I am pleased that progress is being made in the investigation, because of the very welcome developments to vehicle security, criminals intent on stealing cars need to find a way of accessing the car keys. The simple steps, I previously outlined, can help you ensure that you do not become a victim of this type of crime.
While driving:
- Keep your doors locked.
- Keep windows closed or partially closed - enough to prevent someone from reaching in and unlocking doors or grabbing items.
- Do not place items, such as handbags, phones, laptops, in full view on the passenger or back seat. Put them on the floor under your seat, in the glove box, or lock them in the boot.
- If you are forced to stop abruptly, keep your engine running and make sure you have enough room to drive away.
- You MUST stop for the police but it's quite reasonable to ask for identification through a closed window and keep the engine running until you are satisfied.
- Beware of anyone who tries to signal that there's something wrong with your car, unless you know they're right and it is dangerous to drive on.
- If another driver gets out of their vehicle or pedestrian approaches you and you have concerns about their behaviour, flash your lights and sound your horn.
- If you have an alarm, set it off.
When parking or returning to a parked car:
- Park in well lit, busy areas or car park.
- When approaching your parked vehicle, be alert to anyone hanging around and if necessary walk past your car and report anything suspicious to the police immediately.
- If your vehicle has an alarm fitted with a panic button and you think you are being approached suspiciously, activate it.
- As you approach your car have your keys ready, if the car design allows it, unlock the driver's door only and once inside lock you doors.
- When you stop your vehicle, for example to get fuel or purchase a parking ticket, never leave your keys in the ignition or engine running, and always lock your car.
- Keep an eye out for fellow motorists and report anything suspicious immediately to the police.
This week, I know many of you will be enjoying a few days off with your families over the mid term break. Please ensure when you are out that you follow this advice but in particular I would ask that you do not leave your children unattended in vehicles.
We will continue to do what we can to prevent and detect those responsible, but you all must continue to support our efforts by taking these simple but effective precautions.Friday, 3 February 2012
Policing Board Launch 7th Annual Human Rights Report
I am delighted to be in Derry/Londonderry this morning for the launch of the Policing Boards 7th Human Rights Report 2011.
It is entirely appropriate that the Board should choose to launch such an important report in this City. There has been so much progress in the last number of years to ensure that Human Rights compliant policing is delivered and in my view the Human Rights Act was one of the best things that could have happened to policing in Northern Ireland providing a clear framework for difficult and challenging decisions.
I am pleased that the Board have recognised the impressive implementation record of the 176 recommendations, from the six previous Human Rights reports since 2005, and our ongoing commitment to ensure that a Human Rights culture exists within the organisation.
This Human Rights report makes 16 recommendations relating to training, policy on the storage and retention of DNA and photographs, trends and patterns of complaints, public order policing, use of force, covert policing, victims, treatment of suspects and young people. Over the next few months we will be developing a programme of action to respond to these recommendations. This plan will be overseen and progress monitored by the Board's Human Rights Legal Advisor.
I am also pleased to see the acknowledgement in the report about how the Police Service has fully co-operated and assisted the Board's Human Rights Legal Advisor to provide the necessary level of reassurance that the PSNI is fully compliant with their legal requirements in the very difficult and sensitive area of covert policing. This is an area where for very good reasons we cannot say a lot publicly but the scrutiny of the Board and other organisations, such as the Surveillance Commissioner, should provide communities with a level of reassurance in this often very controversial area.
These reports are also supported by a number of Thematic Reviews during the year. These reviews are important and provide your Police Service with an opportunity to show in detail the work which is being undertaken in important areas such as policing domestic abuse, the use to stop and search powers, children and young people and the forthcoming policing with and for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender people.
I very much look forward to working closely with the Board in the coming year as we work to consider their recommendations in full in support of the delivery of personal, professional and protective policing to all the people of Northern Ireland.
It is entirely appropriate that the Board should choose to launch such an important report in this City. There has been so much progress in the last number of years to ensure that Human Rights compliant policing is delivered and in my view the Human Rights Act was one of the best things that could have happened to policing in Northern Ireland providing a clear framework for difficult and challenging decisions.
I am pleased that the Board have recognised the impressive implementation record of the 176 recommendations, from the six previous Human Rights reports since 2005, and our ongoing commitment to ensure that a Human Rights culture exists within the organisation.
This Human Rights report makes 16 recommendations relating to training, policy on the storage and retention of DNA and photographs, trends and patterns of complaints, public order policing, use of force, covert policing, victims, treatment of suspects and young people. Over the next few months we will be developing a programme of action to respond to these recommendations. This plan will be overseen and progress monitored by the Board's Human Rights Legal Advisor.
I am also pleased to see the acknowledgement in the report about how the Police Service has fully co-operated and assisted the Board's Human Rights Legal Advisor to provide the necessary level of reassurance that the PSNI is fully compliant with their legal requirements in the very difficult and sensitive area of covert policing. This is an area where for very good reasons we cannot say a lot publicly but the scrutiny of the Board and other organisations, such as the Surveillance Commissioner, should provide communities with a level of reassurance in this often very controversial area.
These reports are also supported by a number of Thematic Reviews during the year. These reviews are important and provide your Police Service with an opportunity to show in detail the work which is being undertaken in important areas such as policing domestic abuse, the use to stop and search powers, children and young people and the forthcoming policing with and for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender people.
I very much look forward to working closely with the Board in the coming year as we work to consider their recommendations in full in support of the delivery of personal, professional and protective policing to all the people of Northern Ireland.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Policing in the Community with the Community
I really enjoy and look forward to the opportunity to visit the officers and staff who deliver frontline policing across Northern Ireland.
The chance to get out on patrol and meet with members of the Community is a welcome break from the challenges and rigour of governance meetings and paperwork. It also serves as a reminder that our central ethos as senior officers is to support effective service delivery to the public.
This morning I met with officers and staff in Ballymena and went on patrol in the town centre and Portglenone area. Human nature is such that many people take the time to tell me what exactly they think of their Police Service. Sometimes they will tell me about things that haven't been done well and it's really important I hear those personal stories first hand. But often they take time to pay tribute to the excellent work which the Service is delivering across every community.
I am not saying that we get everything right all of the time, but when I visit local areas I am reminded just how dedicated and committed your local police officers and staff are as they seek to deliver personal, professional and protective policing.
We simply cannot deliver this on our own and that's why it is absolutely critical that local communities proactively support their local police, by taking the time to tell them what is important to them, and by reporting any information or suspicious activity which might help the police to keep them safer.
Today I heard first hand how people in the Ballymena area are working with their local police to make their community safer and to address those issues which matter most to local people. It's very easy for people to become self consumed and to leave this important task to others.
I thank those of you who whether as individuals, community organisations or statutory partners support and work with your local police. Many of you I know do this out of a sense of vocation and without you, your Police Service simply couldn't do what it does.
The chance to get out on patrol and meet with members of the Community is a welcome break from the challenges and rigour of governance meetings and paperwork. It also serves as a reminder that our central ethos as senior officers is to support effective service delivery to the public.
This morning I met with officers and staff in Ballymena and went on patrol in the town centre and Portglenone area. Human nature is such that many people take the time to tell me what exactly they think of their Police Service. Sometimes they will tell me about things that haven't been done well and it's really important I hear those personal stories first hand. But often they take time to pay tribute to the excellent work which the Service is delivering across every community.
I am not saying that we get everything right all of the time, but when I visit local areas I am reminded just how dedicated and committed your local police officers and staff are as they seek to deliver personal, professional and protective policing.
We simply cannot deliver this on our own and that's why it is absolutely critical that local communities proactively support their local police, by taking the time to tell them what is important to them, and by reporting any information or suspicious activity which might help the police to keep them safer.
Today I heard first hand how people in the Ballymena area are working with their local police to make their community safer and to address those issues which matter most to local people. It's very easy for people to become self consumed and to leave this important task to others.
I thank those of you who whether as individuals, community organisations or statutory partners support and work with your local police. Many of you I know do this out of a sense of vocation and without you, your Police Service simply couldn't do what it does.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Keeping you and your vehicle safe
With two more so called ‘car-jackings’ reported yesterday evening, I fully understand why some motorists may feel vulnerable when out driving alone.
I do not underestimate the impact of these incidents on those people involved, but it is important to highlight that despite these recently reported car-jackings, the likelihood of becoming a victim of this type of crime is slim. Thousands of motorists travel safely along our roads daily.
That said, we are very concerned about the recent spate of incidents. We have increased our resources in the city centre and have implemented a comprehensive pro-active police operation to prevent these crimes taking place, investigate, detect and arrest those responsible and put them before the courts.
The majority of these recent incidents have been ‘opportunist’ in nature – so please follow these simple personal security steps:
While driving:
I do not underestimate the impact of these incidents on those people involved, but it is important to highlight that despite these recently reported car-jackings, the likelihood of becoming a victim of this type of crime is slim. Thousands of motorists travel safely along our roads daily.
That said, we are very concerned about the recent spate of incidents. We have increased our resources in the city centre and have implemented a comprehensive pro-active police operation to prevent these crimes taking place, investigate, detect and arrest those responsible and put them before the courts.
The majority of these recent incidents have been ‘opportunist’ in nature – so please follow these simple personal security steps:
While driving:
- Keep your doors locked.
- Keep windows closed or partially closed - enough to prevent someone from reaching in and unlocking doors or grabbing items.
- Do not place items, such as handbags, phones, laptops, in full view on the passenger or back seat. Put them on the floor under your seat, in the glove box, or lock them in the boot.
- If you are forced to stop abruptly, keep your engine running and make sure you have enough room to drive away.
- You MUST stop for the police but it's quite reasonable to ask for identification through a closed window and keep the engine running until you are satisfied.
- Beware of anyone who tries to signal that there's something wrong with your car, unless you know they're right and it is dangerous to drive on.
- If another driver gets out of their vehicle or pedestrian approaches you and you have concerns about their behaviour, flash your lights and sound your horn.
- If you have an alarm, set it off.
When parking or returning to a parked car:
- Park in well lit, busy areas or car park.
- When approaching your parked vehicle, be alert to anyone hanging around and if necessary walk past your car and report anything suspicious to the police immediately.
- If your vehicle has an alarm fitted with a panic button and you think you are being approached suspiciously, activate it.
- As you approach your car have your keys ready, if the car design allows it, unlock the driver's door only and once inside lock you doors.
- When you stop your vehicle, for example to get fuel or purchase a parking ticket, never leave your keys in the ignition or engine running, and always lock your car.
- Keep an eye out for fellow motorists and report anything suspicious immediately to the police.
Your Police Service will continue to do everything it can to prevent incidents of this type occurring, but you can assist us and keep yourself safer, by following the simple steps outlined.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Working in Partnership with our Communities
The attempted bomb attack on an off duty soldier last week was a reminder, if we needed one, that there remains a small number of people who at the start of a New Year for whatever reason, have signalled their intention to continue bringing murder and violence to the streets of Belfast.
I welcome the cross community public condemnation and I know that the vast majority of people have clearly indicated that they do not want this.
This attack, had it been successful, would quite likely not only have killed the intended target but anyone who was in the area at the time. This was a totally indiscriminate, irresponsible and reckless attack on the community of Ligoniel and the people of that community have every right to be very angry at those who carried it out.
I want to reassure you that we will be doing everything we can to undertake a detailed analysis of the evidence recovered at the scene to try to identify those responsible and remove them from this community. I thank those who have already come forward to support the police investigation, but I have no doubt that there are others who may know something about this incident or other similar incidents.
The only way to ensure that these people do not carry out further attacks is to put together evidence that will permit them to be arrested, charged and brought before a court.
If you know anything whatsoever that may help, you must give us this information. By not doing so we are hampered in our attempts to prevent the next indiscriminate and reckless attack.
We will continue to put in place overt and covert resources to deter and detect those who are determined to carry out attacks of this nature - but with your support we can do much more. Together we can make 2012 a memorable year for all the right reasons.
I welcome the cross community public condemnation and I know that the vast majority of people have clearly indicated that they do not want this.
This attack, had it been successful, would quite likely not only have killed the intended target but anyone who was in the area at the time. This was a totally indiscriminate, irresponsible and reckless attack on the community of Ligoniel and the people of that community have every right to be very angry at those who carried it out.
I want to reassure you that we will be doing everything we can to undertake a detailed analysis of the evidence recovered at the scene to try to identify those responsible and remove them from this community. I thank those who have already come forward to support the police investigation, but I have no doubt that there are others who may know something about this incident or other similar incidents.
The only way to ensure that these people do not carry out further attacks is to put together evidence that will permit them to be arrested, charged and brought before a court.
If you know anything whatsoever that may help, you must give us this information. By not doing so we are hampered in our attempts to prevent the next indiscriminate and reckless attack.
We will continue to put in place overt and covert resources to deter and detect those who are determined to carry out attacks of this nature - but with your support we can do much more. Together we can make 2012 a memorable year for all the right reasons.
Friday, 30 December 2011
Have a Happy New Year but Get Home Safe
As 2012 approaches no doubt many of you will be planning to head out and spend time with friends and family to see in the New Year.
As you make your plans, please think about where you will be going, who you will be with and most importantly, how you intend to get home.
New Years Eve can be one of the busiest nights of the year when thousands of people will be out and about. If you do not plan your journey home and leave arrangements to chance, it could be a very bad ending to a great night out.
When you are out please drink responsibly and don’t separate from your friends. Isolated people can be more vulnerable, especially when they have consumed alcohol and they can easily become the victim of anti-social behaviour or crime.
Your Police Service want you to be safe and enjoy the vibrant night-time economy and the fantastic range of venues for all to enjoy.
When you are out remember to:
Have a great New Year, plan early and most importantly 'Get Home Safe'.
As you make your plans, please think about where you will be going, who you will be with and most importantly, how you intend to get home.
New Years Eve can be one of the busiest nights of the year when thousands of people will be out and about. If you do not plan your journey home and leave arrangements to chance, it could be a very bad ending to a great night out.
When you are out please drink responsibly and don’t separate from your friends. Isolated people can be more vulnerable, especially when they have consumed alcohol and they can easily become the victim of anti-social behaviour or crime.
Your Police Service want you to be safe and enjoy the vibrant night-time economy and the fantastic range of venues for all to enjoy.
When you are out remember to:
- plan your journey home in advance
- drink responsibly
- don’t walk through areas you are unsure of
- stay in well-lit areas
- stick with your friends
- never accept a drink from someone you don’t know
- always have enough money to get yourself home.
Have a great New Year, plan early and most importantly 'Get Home Safe'.
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