Be safe this Christmas

Over the past few weeks I have been appalled by the number of rapes and sexual assaults which have been reported to police.

Having worked in the past in the area of rape investigation, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact that these horrendous crimes can have on men and women.

The actual number of rapes and sexual assaults are very low, however it is essential that we do everything we possibly can to keep you keep safe and give you the best possible advice to protect yourself.

Over the past few months we have been planning, a series of Police operations, designed to help keep you keep safe. Your police service will be prioritising patrols to protect people as they are out socialising across Northern Ireland.

Police will do as much as possible, but you can help us protect you, by taking the following simple safety steps:

• If you are going to drink alcohol, drink responsibly.


• Don’t become separated from your friends.


• Don’t accept a drink from someone you don't know .


• Carry a personal attack alarm - you can buy one from you local DIY store for a few pounds or speak to your local PSNI Crime Prevention officer.


• Don’t draw attention to yourself - keep valuables close to you or hidden from sight


• Plan your journey home in advance by booking a taxi or arranging a lift – make sure your taxi driver and vehicle are displaying the approved signs/identification. If in doubt do not get in


• Stay in well lit, familiar and busy areas.


• If you think you are being followed make your way to the nearest busy and well lit area and call the police on 999.


• Always make sure you have enough money to get yourself home.

Together we can ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

New Conversations about Policing

Today and tomorrow at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, the Chief Constable, Policing Board Chair and the University will host a 10th anniversary conference entitled 'Challenge and Change - A new conversation for Policing in Northern Ireland'.

I am very grateful to the University for hosting the conference at its Jordanstown campus but of course the University of Ulster has a long association with the PSNI having been involved in accrediting the training for PSNI student officers over the past decade. This has proven to have been a very worthwhile partnership and has considerably improved and enhanced the training delivered to new officers.

Whilst it is good to reflect on where we have come from, our intention is to deliberately not dwell on the past, but to focus on having those 'new conversations' about policing that will drive us forward into the next ten years.

Whilst there are a number of speakers including Minister of Justice, David Ford, , Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Dennis O'Connor, and Minister for Finance and Personnel, Sammy Wilson, the majority of the time will be spent engaging with delegates in parallel sessions. This is without doubt the most important part of the conference - hearing and discussing first hand from those living and working in communities and having those 'new conversations' which will help us to look forward.

Already this morning we have heard about the concerns of older people who have been or are afraid of becoming victims of crime, how young people feel demonised not just by the police but by society in general and how the Human Rights Act has shaped the policing of today.

This afternoon and tomorrow we will have the opportunity in the parallel sessions to discuss and listen on a range of important issues such as Organised Crime, Future of the Criminal Justice system, Economy and Policing, legacy, victims and early intervention.

I look forward to some interesting and challenging conversations over the next few days.

If you are interested in following the events at Jordanstown I encourage you to follow the conference on Twitter at #changeandchallenge.

A President to remember

As the Republic of Ireland prepares to inaugurate its ninth Irish President, Michael D Higgins, I wanted to pay my own personal tribute to the outgoing President, Mary McAleese.

There are very few people across Northern Ireland who could not have been touched in some way by Mrs McAleese's presidency. She knew exactly how important the role of policing was and was a true friend to both the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross and Police Service of Northern Ireland.

When I had the privilege to attend a reception hosted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in honour of the President a few weeks ago, she was careful to specifically thank the officers of the Police Service past and present, who provided her with close protection as she conducted her various visits across the whole of Northern Ireland. She knew exactly how difficult it was to strike the balance between visible security and protection.

When officers were murdered, died in the course of duty or were injured as a result of terrorist attacks, the President was always one of the first people to call the Chief Constable to offer condolences or pass on her best wishes. When she attended the graduation of new PSNI officers in July this year, she talked about our murdered colleague Constable Ronan Kerr and referred to him as a "modern day hero" - a term that has stuck very clearly in my mind and one that the Chief Constable refers to often.

Her interest in and support for my work as lead in the PSNI Gender Action Plan was greatly appreciated by female officers and staff across PSNI. She was a champion of equality and I know that my colleagues were inspired by her when she opened our inaugural Cross Border Women in Policing Event, and later when she invited a group of female PSNI and An Garda Síochána officers and staff to her Presidential home at Aras an Uachtarain.

She had the gift of gracious hospitality and no matter who you were, she made you feel appreciated and special in your own right. I take this opportunity on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to sincerely wish the new President, Michael D Higgins every success in his new role. His predecessor's Presidency has witnessed so many historic events - some very poignant and others truly remarkable.

It is my hope that President McAleese's lasting legacy will be one of respect, harmony, equality and a truly shared future for all of the people of this island.

Ten years of PSNI: Reflecting on our past and looking to the future

As I reflect on our ten year Anniversary, it is with mixed emotions that I consider the achievements of the last decade, and the impact that the Police Service of Northern Ireland has had on the history and peace of this island.

Sadness, at the loss of colleagues' lives during that time - a sadness that echoes pain of the past that we had all hoped to put behind us. Sadness at the serious injuries inflicted by terrorists that colleagues still live with daily. And sadness at the tragic loss of colleagues through road traffic collisions whilst on duty serving the entire community.

Pride, in the dignity, professionalism and resolve with which police officers and staff have embraced and driven the seismic change that policing has experienced, and pride that it was that dignity and resolve that helped lay the foundations for political progress.

Amazement, at the scale of the change that has been achieved whilst we continue to deliver outstanding performance - crime is at its lowest for many years, detections are higher than for many years, injury road traffic collisions are at their lowest for decades, and confidence in PSNI is growing.

Respect, for those colleagues past and present who have led change in some of the most challenging policing areas in the world - in particular delivering policing with the community in the absence of routine Military support.

Frustration, that a continuing terrorist threat holds us back in some areas from delivering the style of policing that we all aspire to, and that often we cannot speak publicly about the job we do for fear of being singled out for attack by terrorists.

Confidence, in the professionalism of the people who belong to your Police Service - police and staff at all levels - who seek to serve all communities in accordance with the spirit of our PSNI Attestation: faithfully discharging our duties with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all individuals and their traditions and beliefs.

Recognition, that there is still some way to go in building full community trust, confidence and support, but acknowledgment of how far we have come in the last ten years.

Passion, that over the last ten years we have absolutely been doing the right things, we are really making a difference in people’s lives, keeping the most vulnerable safe and tackling really serious emerging crimes like Human Trafficking and e-crime.

But most of all hope, for the future, in the new context of Devolution of Policing and Justice and a more stable political foundation which we have all helped to create and on which we can all build for a brighter future.

Here’s to the next ten years and beyond – and to continuing to deliver personal, professional, protective policing, come what may.