Police Service of Northern Ireland

Policing in the Community with the Community

2012-01-27T16:22:00.002Z

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.

Keeping you and your vehicle safe

2012-01-17T10:50:00.003Z

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:

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.

Working in Partnership with our Communities

2012-01-09T15:03:00.002Z

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.

Have a Happy New Year but Get Home Safe

2011-12-30T14:56:00.005Z

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:

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'.

Supporting Victims of Domestic Abuse this Christmas

2011-12-22T09:59:00.001Z

Hopefully, like me, you’re looking forward to the opportunity of relaxing for a few days in the company of family and friends over the Christmas period.

Sadly however there are those for whom Christmas 2011 is a time they will want to forget.

If you've been tuning into the local news over the past few days you will no doubt have heard that the PSNI is receiving an increasing number of reports in relation to domestic abuse. Already this year we have received an 500 additional reports.

We want to encourage victims, men and women, of domestic abuse to report to police and therefore we welcome a rise in reports, although we know that many more incidents still go unreported.

Traditionally, reported domestic abuse increases over the Christmas period and I would want to reassure victims that if they take the courageous step of coming forward they will be supported, receive specialist help and advice and that where possible positive action will be taken against the perpetrator.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please do not suffer in silence - especially at this Christmas time. The longer you leave it the worse the abuse is likely to get. We can and will help you.

If you feel you cannot report directly to us, then you can call the Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 917 1414. Over the Christmas period our partners in the voluntary sector will like us be working round the clock to keep victims safe and supported. I pay tribute to the dedication and commitment of our partner agencies during this holiday season.

Please help us, and all those who work in this really important area, to help you have a happier Christmas.

The future of our Police Estate

2011-12-12T14:28:00.003Z

I listened intently as the Justice Minster recently announced that he was undertaking a review of the Court Service Estate, with the potential for a number of Court House closures.

You will no doubt have heard or seen reports in the media over the past few weeks that we have been briefing the Policing Board on our Estate Strategy. Like the Court Service, we must rationalise our estate in order to support the delivery of efficiencies.

Over this four year Comprehensive Spending Review period, the Police Service of Northern Ireland must realise £135 million in savings. This is not about closing stations simply to save money, but to rationalise the police estate to ensure that we have fit for purpose police stations in the right locations.

This goal is further being realised with the building of two new stations in Ballymoney and Downpatrick, the planned build of the Joint Services College in Desertcreat, Cookstown, and the recent opening of the brand new 'state of the art' Musgrave station in Belfast City Centre.

We currently have 83 police premises, 34 of which are on a review list for consideration of closure. Our police estate is 70% greater than other UK police services of a comparable size.

I know from my conversations with many members of rural communities that there is something symbolic about having a police station in their town or village, but it is important to understand that many of these stations average less than one caller daily, with the majority of people increasingly contacting police by phone, through our website, or interacting with us using social media.

Policing has always been a 'people' business, delivered by police officers and staff rather than by buildings. It is therefore so important that police officers go to where people are, rather than waiting for people to come to us, often in buildings that are no longer fit for purpose or in the right places.

It is important that I reassure those of you who remain unconvinced that the closure of a police building does not in any way reduce the police presence in an area. Dedicated neighbourhood and response policing teams, equipped with Blackberry mobile technology, mean that officers no longer have to continually return to police stations to update records, and this allows them to remain on patrol in local areas for longer.

Our ultimate goal is that once officers have reported for duty and then leave the station to patrol their area of responsibility, that they remain in that patrol area for as long as possible - even availing of their meal break in a local cafe or restaurant.

We will of course be speaking to local communities and taking on board your views before we make any definite decisions, so I encourage you to engage with us in this process and make your views known.

Be safe this Christmas

2011-11-25T14:27:00.004Z

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

2011-11-17T16:57:00.003Z

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

2011-11-11T12:01:00.002Z

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

2011-11-04T09:36:00.001Z

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.

Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of the Police Service

2011-10-21T16:31:00.002+01:00

It's important for me to take time to visit police officers and staff based in stations and departments across the Service, to have the opportunity to speak with and perhaps more importantly, listen to them personally.

Yesterday, I had the chance to visit our Occupational Heath and Well-being department, which is responsible for the delivery of health protection, promotion and monitoring. The department also provides psychological well-being, musculoskeletal, medical and nursing and physical and health education services.

The department's main aim is to improve the health and well-being of police officers and police staff by delivering a range of proactive and responsive services. The unit began delivering occupational health services in the early 1980's with just a few members and was sadly in response to the very difficult policing environment being faced by the Royal Ulster Constabulary at that time.

Today a fantastic range of services is provided by a team of around 40 healthcare professionals and support staff. The unit is very much seen as a model of good practice nationally and internationally and I was absolutely delighted to see them recently receive first place in the Health and Wellbeing category of the CIPD People Management Awards 2011.

Policing by its very nature is a physically and mentally challenging occupation. Whilst we have some very experienced and resilient people, the officers and staff of your police service see and do things that most other people will never ever have to encounter or experience.

Some of the incidents members of the Police Service deal with or attend can have very significant and long term consequences for them personally. It is therefore absolutely critical that we have the right people with the right skills in place to identify health concerns at the earliest opportunity, to provide support and assistance to our people when they need it most.

More often than not these people are in the background and less visible to the public than many parts of this organisation. But that does not mean they are any less important.

Not only is it important that we look after our people when they need assistance, but it is equally important to ensure that, as a public service, we do everything possible to ensure that our people are fit, healthy and happy at work in order to better deliver that personal, professional and protective policing service that the public expects.

Our officers and staff deserve the very best support we can provide and I know that the Occupational Heath and Well-being department are a critical and essential part of your police service.

For an organisation in a uniquely challenging environment, they provide a world class service of which we are all very proud.

Planning for the World Police and Fire games

2011-10-13T16:08:00.003+01:00

I was delighted to attend my first meeting as Chair of the World Police and Fire Games Board this afternoon.

I want to pay tribute to my predecessor Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland who until recently chaired the Board, for his immense contribution to the planning for this major event in our history.

Although the games do not come to Northern Ireland until summer 2013, significant planning and preparation has already been undertaken. The Games will undoubtedly be the biggest sporting event we have ever seen.

The events of Wednesday night again demonstrated the narrow view of a small number of individuals who for whatever reason seem intent on driving away the benefits and investment of events like the MTV Awards, Titanic Celebrations, City of Culture and the World Police and Fire Games.

I echo the words of Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin, the local District Commander in Derry, who described those who carried out the attack on the City of Culture Offices in Derry as: "not an attack on police but an attack on the people of the City by the people of the City."

I encourage you to embrace the opportunities to promote everything that is good about Northern Ireland over the next few months and years.

Your Police Service will be doing everything it possibly can to make sure that people feel as welcome and safe as possible and have a memorable visit for all the right reasons to this beautiful part of the world.

New Public Services Training College - a reality

2011-10-07T15:07:00.006+01:00

I was delighted to attend Cookstown Council Office on Wednesday night to formally acknowledge the business case approval of the new Joint Public Services Training College.

It has been a long journey since the provision of a purpose built training college was first suggested in recommendation 131 of the Patten Report in 1999. Since then the scope has been widened to include a multi agency training facility with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Prison Service. All of the services welcome this development and the provision of world class training facilities for your emergency and prison services now seem a reality.

The opportunities of the new facilities are endless, and whilst the capital is coming from Police, Fire and Rescue and Prisons, we have already received expressions of interest from other Northern Ireland Public Service providers and international colleagues to use the college. We also hope that there will be significant opportunities and benefits for the local community.

A lot of time and energy has already been invested to get the project to this stage and I would like to pay tribute to current and former colleagues, in all three services, who had the vision and determination to develop the concept of the provision of new training services.

This is a huge training investment and the £139m project will in the longer term save public money as we share facilities, replace outdated and dilapidated buildings, and reduce the duplication of overheads for all three services.

I very much look forward to the next stages which will include planning permission and tendering for the construction of the facility. It is hoped the first of our colleagues will be using the new college in the summer of 2015.

Working in Partnership to Keep Young Drivers Safe

2011-09-29T15:12:00.002+01:00

I was delighted to have been asked to attend the launch of a Young Passengers and Drivers Awareness initiative (YPAD), yesterday afternoon in Banbridge.

This initiative was developed with a number of agencies and partners, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Over the next six months over 1,000 young people, in years 12 to 14, will attend a seminar aimed at keeping them safer on our roads, as either drivers or passengers.

The session includes a locally produced film developed specifically for this initiative. The film which features local young people and members of the various agencies and partners shows the consequences of being distracted by text messaging whilst driving. Many of those who took part in the film were present at its launch.

One of most striking examples used yesterday, was that research has shown that taking your eyes of the road to look at a text message whilst driving at 55mph, is the equivalent of travelling the length of a football pitch with your eyes closed. And there were a number of driving simulators at the launch to 'drive'this home to the young people.

It is of course not just young people that are distracted by mobile phones and other devices in cars - the dangers apply equally to us all.

Sadly far too many people die on our roads across Northern Ireland each year. The downward trend is welcome but on average, every single week a person dies on our roads and the consequences of this for families, friends and communities stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Many collisions could be avoided if people slowed down, did not drink and drive and concentrate on the road and not the other potential distractions around them. This morning yet another family is having to come to terms withthe loss of someone dear to them.

I appeal to everyone, whether a young person just starting out on their driving experience, or as someone who has been driving for many years, to think carefully about their personal responsibility to drive safely.

By working together we will continue to reduce death and serious injury on our roads.

2011-09-22T17:03:00.002+01:00

Safety First for 'Fresh' Beginnings

It’s ‘Freshers’ week when students, old and new, head to our universities for the start of a new academic year.

For some this will be back to the familiar routine to which they are now well used, but for others it will be the start of something very new and with it the opportunities, challenges and perhaps for some new found freedom. The Police Service have been working closely with universities long before students have arrived. Our priority is to make sure that students are kept, and know how to keep safe and that they can integrate with the local community with the least disruption and inconvenience possible.

Sadly every year a small number of students become involved in criminality and anti social behaviour. The Police Service work closely with the universities and the local community to ensure that these individuals are identified and dealt with swiftly. What to some might seem a ‘moment of fun or madness’ can jeopardise a university place, result in disciplinary action by the university and/or a criminal record and ultimately could prevent future employment. By all means students should have fun and thoroughly enjoy their university experience but they should also act responsibly and think of others.

For those students going out and about at night, I ask you to think about where you are going, who you are going with, and to try when you are out and about to stay together. Tell someone when you are expected back and keep your mobile phone with you at all times, but keep it and any bags, purses or wallets concealed out of sight.

The influx of students to residential accommodation, on and off site, is also an opportunity for others. Criminals know that student accommodation will be filled with an array of televisions, laptops, ipods and other items which can be easily concealed and sold on. Accommodation is regularly unoccupied and therefore easily accessed. If you are concerned about the security of your property speak to your landlord about locks and alarms and make sure when you go out that you secure the property, look after your keys and don’t leave items of value in clear view of the street.

University is a fantastic opportunity and I encourage you to enjoy it. Please listen carefully to the experience of others and to the advice you are given. The last thing we want is for you to have to remember university for all the wrong reasons.

By working together and following some simple advice we can keep you safe.

Click here for Personal Safety advice:- http://www.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention/personal/personal-safety.htm

World Police and Fire Games success

2011-09-09T10:38:00.004+01:00

As the World Police and Fire Games have just drawn to a close in New York, I am delighted to tell you that the Police Service of Northern Ireland have picked up five gold , seven silver and four bronze medals.

Colleagues in NI Fire and Rescue picked up three gold, two silver and one bronze, whilst the NI Prison Service return with one gold, four silvers and one bronze medal.

Last Sunday evening at the closing ceremony attended by the Chief Constable, the responsibility for the next games in 2013 was handed over to Northern Ireland.

This will be a fantastic opportunity and will bring approximately 10,000 law enforcement officers and fire fighters, from across the world, to Northern Ireland for the largest sporting event ever hosted here.

The tourism, economic and legacy opportunities that the Games will bring to Belfast specifically and to Northern Ireland in general are significant.

The organisers of the 2013 World Police and Fire Games have set themselves the goal of being the friendliest games. and knowing our Belfast people I am sure that the Games will live up to that ambition.

This is of course only one of a number of very significant events over the next few years. We have already commenced planning with our partner agencies for the City of Culture 2013 in Derry/Londonderry.

There are some really exciting events planned for the City of Culture year that will bring many thousands of visitors into the North West. I am also often reminded as I travel across the M3 bridge of the Titanic commemorations planned for April 2012 as I watch the development of the Titanic Quarter and the building of the iconic landmark centrepiece which will become the Visitors' Centre.

These are fantastic opportunities for us all to show thousands of international visitors everything that is good about Northern Ireland, to the point that they will want to tell others to come here and see what we have on offer - including the world famous warmth of welcome of the Northern Ireland people.

Belfast Mela 2011

2011-09-01T15:32:00.002+01:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Belfast Mela 2011 last Sunday afternoon.

Over 18,000 people descended on Botanic Gardens to witness first hand the vibrant and colourful spectacle which has become a regular date in the Belfast calendar.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is delighted to support and be associated with the Mela and again officers were present, meeting with members of the public, providing advice and information.

The Mela, in its fifth year, has now become Northern Ireland's largest multi-cultural festival and I was delighted to see that it was again so well supported.

As I walked around visiting the various stalls and meeting people it was fantastic to see how multi-cultural Northern Ireland has become and all the opportunities that this presents.

Sadly not everyone sees a diverse Northern Ireland as an opportunity and the symptoms of this are present with almost daily reports of racist hate crimes and incidents. A minority of individuals choose to attack people or their property simply because they perceive them to be different.

The huge contribution that people from various cultures, countries and backgrounds provide is totally lost on this minority. Not only is it important that we attend events such as the Mela to engage with the public, but it’s also important that we show our support for minority and vulnerable communities and visibly reassure them that the Police Service is there for everyone no matter what their background is.

We are your Police Service and we will continue to do everything possible to protect those who are most vulnerable, regardless of background.

I look forward to Belfast Mela 2012 and sincerely congratulate everyone who made the day such a success.

Vital police operation a concerted effort

2011-08-25T16:54:00.003+01:00

I was delighted to hear that the Tennents Vital concerts at Ward Park in Bangor appear to have been a roaring success.

A huge operation involving Police, the event organisers, local council, Translink and other emergency and voluntary services, helped facilitate the attendance of over 60,000 people over the two evenings.

Events like these are hugely expensive to plan, run and police and it is important to reassure you that the organisers of this event and others like it, are required to part fund the policing operation.

Over the past week approximately 3,000 people have attended a series of performances on successive nights during the ongoing Belsonic 2011 festival at Custom House Square in the centre of Belfast. Police are continuing to work in partnership with organisers, local residents and businesses to facilitate those attending, albeit on a much smaller scale.

While Belsonic 2011 and the police operation supporting it continues, I want to place on record my thanks for the way in which the vast majority of people attending Ward Park conducted themselves. In particular I would like to thank the local community who worked with and supported us.

The fact that the events were so successful and virtually trouble free I hope will secure many more concerts for Ward Park and other venues like it.

Over the two evenings we had a substantial number of police officers on duty ensuring that those attending could arrive, attend and depart safely, while minimising any inconvenience to local residents and businesses.

During the police operation, over 4,000 items of alcohol were seized or surrendered and live updates on the PSNI Bangor Facebook site kept ticket holders and local residents up to date with traffic and concert information.

Some of the comments and suggestions no doubt helped keep some of you amused while you waited to be admitted.

Now that the dust has settled and Bangor is returning to normality, everyone who played a role in bringing these events to Northern Ireland and ensuring that they passed of successfully, can be very proud of their achievement and I look forward to seeing many more events like it in the future.

The Social Media Age of Technology

2011-08-05T14:22:00.002+01:00

Facebook and other similar social media outlets, have provided everyone with a fantastic opportunity to engage, publicly or privately, with one another in real time.

Sadly this week certain individuals tried to use this forum for sinister means to publish information and images of police officers, placing them at potential risk. This is absolutely unacceptable and I would encourage anyone who identifies social media sites or posts that place anyone at risk to report this immediately. We will certainly not be deterred from providing a police service by the placing of images or abusive comments on Facebook.

The benefits of Facebook are very clear. Your Police Service has grasped this opportunity and is now running nine Facebook pages and four Twitter accounts throughout Northern Ireland. Not only does this provide us with an opportunity to provide you with information, but it also has provided excellent opportunities for individuals to advise us about what is important, what matters most to local communities, and to debate wider policing issues. I personally follow a number of the Police Service sites and I am very encouraged by the contributions which are being made and the engagement which regularly happens on these sites.

Clearly on occasions we have to step in and remove certain inappropriate content, and no doubt this is no different from other personal and business users. The responsibility for the content each person posts is their own, and recent events have shown how irresponsible comments can become the subject of criminal proceedings. That is not to say we will remove all negative comments. It is right that people have an opportunity to voice their views even if these may be critical of police actions. We can learn a lot from constructive criticism, and this is to be actively encouraged.

We hope over the next few months to make the Police Service of Northern Ireland even more accessible to social media users and I encourage those of you who already live or work in the areas where we currently have sites to follow and engage with us in this way. The feedback to date has been extremely positive and we have been greatly encouraged by the support which we have received.

But if you haven't quite caught the 'social media' bug yet, don't be concerned. This was always intended to be in addition to and not instead of the more traditional means of face to face engagement of visible, accessible and familiar police officers on patrol. And even though many thousands of people in Northern Ireland and beyond follow Facebook - and it's a great way to keep in touch - nothing beats an old fashioned face to face chat.

2011-07-29T15:53:00.008+01:00

Féile an Phobail / Festival of the People

I have just returned from taking part in one of the Féile an Phobail or Festival of the People events, taking place across West Belfast over the next few weeks.

'Bread and Roses' was a small diverse and intimate event, attended mostly by women, to discuss the achievements of women in their struggle for equality and the barriers still to overcome.

I had the opportunity to take part in a debate and discussion alongside Martina Anderson MLA. Whilst police and politicians will often have to agree to disagree in terms of progressing equality for everyone, Martina and I clearly agree in many areas.

I really enjoy any opportunity to sit down with local people and hear first hand the issues which concern them most, particularly in relation to policing.

In events of this type you would expect that the range of people with very diverse political views would voice some very strong opinions about policing and indeed at the event there were questions about 50:50 recruitment, 'plastic bullets' and the retention of officers and staff of different religions and genders.

But actually there is more in common than that which would divide us. People raised concerns about the economy, poverty and how this links to crime and how people who have child care and carer responsibilities can be facilitated to balance the pressures of home with the need to work.

These are important conversations and whilst the Police Service, the public and private sectors have made significant progress there is absolutely no room for complacency.

Everyone has a part to play

2011-06-30T14:14:00.002+01:00

The events of the past week have shown, yet again, how fragile cross community relations can be.

The disorder in East Belfast was totally unacceptable and I can only imagine what it must have felt like for those people who were caught up in the middle and had their homes or property damaged. No matter what sparked this violence there is absolutely no excuse for it. Once again your Police Service was thrust into a situation not of its making, caught in the middle of two groups of people intent on causing harm and damage to the other.

All too often community leaders are criticised for not stepping up to the mark but I know how much effort, night and day, was put in to trying to restore some form of normality. I applaud everyone who worked together to achieve this. But tensions will remain high over the next few weeks and I encourage everyone of influence, elected and community leaders, to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those intent on causing trouble do not achieve their ambition.

The Police Service does not want to divert resources away from local communities to police or prevent public disorder. Nor does it wish to spend money which could be better used supporting longer term initiatives to protect local communities and deal with the things which really matter to you.

We will not shy away from our responsibilities and we will seek to police impartially, proportionately and professionally, but you must support us and do everything you possibly can to ensure that tension is reduced and that those who want to cause trouble understand very clearly that they are not welcome.

Whether you’re a parent, a partner, a community or political leader, a person of influence in the community or a local resident please do not underestimate your ability to influence the thinking and actions of others.

This is a time for cool heads and for reflecting on the impact of what we say and do. Everyone has a part to play in reducing tensions and in contributing to longer term peace building in our society - a society which has come so far and deserves so much better than the events of last week.

Policing with the Community Rewarded

2011-06-14T15:50:00.005+01:00

I was absolutely delighted to have attended the eighth annual Policing with the Community Awards earlier today.

The awards have been developed by the Police Service in partnership with the Northern Ireland Policing Board and many of the nominations come form the community. I am also very grateful to our sponsors Deloitte, Tesco, Aramark, Fujitsu, Grafton ESP, Sodexo and the Northern Bank.

The aim is to publicly recognise and reward outstanding problem-solving while highlighting the benefits of policing in partnership with local communities. They also seek to celebrate the important contribution that police staff make towards creating a safer Northern Ireland.

This year’s recipients were:-

Probationer of the Year - Constable Lee Tavinder, F District, Cookstown Area
Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year - G District, City Centre Neighbourhood Team
Diversity in Action Award – B District, Community Safety Team for their Tension Monitoring Group
Problem Solving in Partnership Award- Organised Crime Branch, Operation Tarros
Police Officer of the Year – Sergeant John Hughes, Operational Support Department, Armed Response Unit
Police Staff member of the Year Award – Sharon Anderson, E District, Newry and Mourne Area
Police Staff Lifetime Achievement – Tina Broderick, F District, Omagh Area
Police Lifetime Achievement – Constable Derek Friel, F District, Fermanagh Area

The officers and staff who have been rewarded are members of your police service. These are the people who day and daily go the extra mile to ensure that you receive a personal, professional and protective policing service in some of the most challenging circumstances experienced anywhere in the UK.

Some of the examples provided for consideration ranged from a probationer constable who in a very short period of time has made a real difference in the local community; and neighbourhood policing and community safety teams who have grasped issues important to the local community and made a difference.

Other examples included operations against criminality in Money Service Bureaus, resulting in 27 arrests, the recovery of laundered fuel, smuggled cigarettes and seizure of over £1million in cash and drugs valued at £1.75m; a staff member who has dedicated 34 years to supporting front line policing and one who has been instrumental in improving contact management; a Sergeant who has an outstanding record in crime prevention and detection and a Constable who has given 25 years to proactively supporting the local community in Fermanagh.

We are very fortunate to have so many great police officers and staff members and the standard of nominations is always very high, making it extremely difficult to decide on the final winner in each category. There are so many who are worthy of recognition in this way.

I am very proud of all the officers and staff in the Police Service of Northern Ireland who work tirelessly day and daily to deliver a policing service, but especially proud of those who received recognition today. I know that many of you will join with me in offering them your congratulations.

Today is an opportunity for them to celebrate their success but tomorrow each of them will be back, doing what they do best, delivering a police service in your community.

Working together for an even better Police Service

2011-06-02T17:39:00.002+01:00

This afternoon, the Chief Constable my Chief Officer colleagues and I held our first formal meeting with the newly appointed Policing Board.

It's hard to believe that the Policing Board, like the PSNI, will shortly mark its tenth anniversary. For those of you are perhaps less familiar with the role of the Policing Board, it was originally established to secure an effective, efficient, impartial, representative and accountable police service which will secure the confidence of the whole community, by reducing crime and the fear of crime.

The Board and its work is an example of how much progress has been made over the past 10 years. A diverse group of political and independent, members from across Northern Ireland regularly sit down together with the ambition of securing the very best policing service possible for everyone, regardless of who they are.

In my experience, working with the Board has been both challenging and rewarding. As a police officer I welcome challenge. Inevitably at times we will not always agree. But despite this, I have absolutely no doubt that the Police Service and the Policing Board share a vision for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to be the finest personal, professional and protective police service in the world.

Whilst the Board plays a very important role, you also have a very important role to play. Not only can you give us your full support whilst we work to keep you and your community safe from harm, but there are also opportunities for your voice to be heard through the network of District Policing Partnership meetings, soon to become Police and Community Safety Partnership meetings.

These meetings give you the chance to engage personally with your local Senior Police Officers and tell them what is important to you. These are excellent opportunities for really constructive conversations, which we really value as a service.

We also value the many less formal opportunities to discuss policing issues with communities, groups and individuals and we are actively seeking more across Northern Ireland.

I look forward to working with the new Policing Board which is a vital component in the accountability and community confidence landscape. But I also look forward to this police service - your police service - working even more closely with you whether as a community, a local group or as an individual, to hear your views on how we can work together to make the police service you receive even better in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Division - No Quick Fix

2011-05-26T16:05:00.002+01:00

This morning I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at the Community Relations Council Annual Policy Conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast.

This was only one of many events taking place across Northern Ireland as part of Community Relations week 2011.

The theme for the week is 'Division - No Quick Fix'. Many of us have become so conditioned to division it almost feels normal. The conference reminded me just how much division affects and shapes our society.

At an estimated cost of £1 billion per year, division affects everything from health to education to public transport, to access to services and - at times - two of everything literally a few streets apart. This situation is not and should not be seen as normal.

Community relations, or rather, Community Confidence is a critical part of policing. Sadly so much of our time is spent dealing with the symptoms of division and whilst the Police Service has a significant role to play, we do not have all the answers and are part of a much bigger solution.

I welcome the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate's report, today, on PSNI Contact Management. How we deal with people, who are very often contacing us at a time of personal crisis, is critical to community confidence in the Police Service and this has an impact on the wider issue of community relations. Every encounter we have with the public can have a significance way beyond the immediate incident.

I very much welcome the recognition from CJINI of the work which we have already undertaken and we look forward to updating the Inspectorate on how this work is being rolled out across the Service.

Much has been achieved and sometimes we can forget just how far we have come. Last weeks truly historic visit by Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic of Ireland is a prime example of this. We want to have the ability and space to support communities effectively. Time and money spent dealing with division distracts us from that ambition. But if we work together, I believe that much more can be achieved.

Every single one of us has a responsibility to play. For me that's not just in my role as Deputy Chief Constable, but also as a wife, mother and member of my local community. Never underestimate the circle of influence and the power in your hands to challenge and change division.

Achieving Success Together

2011-05-16T10:03:00.009+01:00

Last Thursday we released our annual statistics detailing crime figures for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

During the year there were 4,099 less victims of crime. We have reduced the level of crime to a 13-year low and increased our detection rate to 27.3%, up 1.5% on the previous year.

By working in partnership with many other public, private and voluntary agencies, road deaths have been reduced and 43 fewer people died on the roads. There were over 3,500 drugs seizures, more than the previous year resulting in fewer drugs on our streets for dealers to sell to our children and young people.

While there were 237 less victims of violent crime, robberies and sexual offences increased. Together with our partners, we are working hard to identify ways to reduce these incidents and I encourage everyone to follow our personal and business safety advice.

It is accepted that we work in a unique policing environment. No other UK police service faces the daily threat of terrorist attack on their officers and staff. Regrettably, at times this threat will impact upon the style and delivery of our service in some areas. I assure you that we will not allow the threat to prevent us from working with and in communities to tackle crime and deal with the issues that really matter.

Despite the reduction, there still were over 105,000 victims of crime and we recognise the huge impact left on some individuals long after events have passed. That’s why we will focus on the personal impact of crime and tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in a professional and protective manner.

We will continue to listen to communities, identify local issues of concern and work together to solve them. We will redouble our efforts to prevent people becoming victims of crime and where crimes occur, do our best to bring those responsible to justice.

The successful reduction of overall crime would not have been possible without your support. You are our partners in crime prevention and reduction. This is as much your success as it is ours.

Going forward we want to do even better. I appeal for your unconditional support in tackling crime, preventing serious harm and protecting communities as we strive to be the finest personal, professional and protective police service in the world.

Protecting Democratic Rights

2011-05-04T16:43:00.004+01:00

Tomorrow thousands of people across Northern Ireland will go to the polls to vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Local Council elections and the referendum on the voting system.

Across Northern Ireland there will be 1400 Polling Stations and we have been working very closely for some time with the Electoral Commission to ensure that people exercise their democratic right to vote , safely and without disruption . At times,there will be a noticeable increased security presence to deter anyone from interfering with the electoral process but we will ensure, in so far as possible that this will be low key .

Once the polls close at 10pm tomorrow night we will be supporting the Commission to help ensure that ballot boxes reach the 8 counting centres safely and that the counting process is completed without hindrance or interruption.

I want to reassure you that this is a carefully planned and very significant police operation but one which we regard as absolutely critical to ensuring that everyone who chooses to do so can be facilitated to safely cast their vote. We will be working in partnership with many agencies to ensure that the day passes off as smoothly as possible.

This is a very important day for Northern Ireland, and you can support your police service by ensuring that you report anything suspicious to us as soon as possible. We will in turn ensure that we respond as quickly as possible to any request for assistance and ensure that any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.

Our Commitments to you

2011-04-18T16:14:00.002+01:00

If you have been listening to the news today, no doubt you will have heard your Chief Constable speaking about our Policing Commitments to you.

I don't intend to go into them in detail, because over the next few weeks your very own personal copy of our 10 pledges will drop through your letter box.

The most important point to highlight is that these Commitments are a result of having listened to you, your neighbours, public representatives and community leaders. These are things which you have told us matter most.

We are here to deliver a Police Service to you regardless of religion, politics, cultural identity, age, gender or sexual orientation. This is not about having a set of promises to hang on the wall in your local police station, but about standards that you can judge us upon. We will also give you the opportunity to tell us how well you think we have performed against those standards.

We have already delivered significant crime reductions, increased confidence and more police officers to visible policing roles and through our Commitments we hope to build on these achievements and deliver even more.

We know that the vast majority of people support us and want to work in partnership with us. Your support is vital to ensure that the small number of people who want us to fail and drag us back to the past do not succeed. Quite frankly they have nothing to offer society as an alternative.

The Chief Constable is absolutely determined and personally committed to delivering personal, professional and protective policing to every single person in Northern Ireland. This for me shows the commitment of our Chief Constable to raise policing here to another level and I know he is absolutely determined to see this through over the next few years. This will not be easy - it is undoubtedly very challenging and it is my privilege to support him in this regard.

I hope, in the words of your Chief Constable that: "One day all communities will simply say that the Police Service of Northern Ireland is our police."

These are our promises to you which I believe we can deliver. We are setting ourselves high standards. With your help and support, I believe we can achieve them.

Together we can make a difference

2011-04-11T13:43:00.000+01:00

At the end of a very difficult week, on Friday afternoon I attended a joint Presidents and Duke of Edinburgh Award information event at St Mary’s High School in Limavady. Pupils from St Patrick's, Rossmar, Limavady High and Limavady Grammar were also present.

I was met by the principal, in the shadow of a rather large sign showing an image of five pupils, one from each of the five schools, running along the beach at Downhill with the cliffs and the Mussenden Temple in the background. As I looked at the sign, I thought of the week that had passed and the coming together of so many people, from different backgrounds and viewpoints, to speak with one voice of condemnation and support.

But this unity of schools in Limavady was not new, nor even recent. This was a relationship forged over time, of pupils coming together to learn with, respect and understand one another. This relationship was not born out of some government strategy, but by a genuine desire to see the future generations of Limavady grow up together in a society free from sectarianism. A shining example to us all.

Some young people present were already involved in one of the schemes whilst others were thinking about joining. As I spoke to them about my experiences of taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, I couldn’t help but remind them of the important choices which they are required to make.

I reminded them of the choice that our colleague, Constable Ronan Kerr, had made to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland and how he had wanted to be someone who helped people and who made a difference. He had taken the decision to serve his community and the people of Northern Ireland, through the very honourable and selfless profession of Policing.

The support which the Police Service has received over the past week has been powerful. The public outpouring of sympathy and condemnation and the show of solidarity at the various rallies has, I have no doubt, greatly helped the Kerr family who must be feeling such a devastating sense of loss.

Ronan’s death can and must be a turning point. Everyone must continue to speak out against those who carry out these attacks, and stress as so many have already clearly stated, that they are ‘Not in my Name’.

Terrorists have no respect for any member of our community, a point they clearly made again at the weekend, by abandoning a bomb under the main Belfast to Dublin road in Newry.

As your police service we will continue to do everything we can, not just to bring those responsible for Ronan’s death to justice, but also to prevent and detect those who indiscriminately place others at risk.

We are all the more determined to deliver a personal, professional and protective police service to everyone.

Just like those five schools in Limavady, together we can make a difference.

We are your police service

2011-04-04T12:56:00.004+01:00

It is difficult to contemplate the sense of grief being experienced by the Kerr family following the loss of Ronan. I listened to the words of Mrs Kerr and I echo her call that Ronan's death must not be in vain. If ever there was a time that the community needs to fully stand behind its police service, it is now. Ronan was our officer but he was more importantly your officer.

In the Police Service we have lost a colleague – and our pain is immense. There is also shock and great sadness in the community, who have lost a bright young man. Ronan Kerr had been a police officer for 6 months. He had been a member of the community here for the 25 years of his too short life.

I have the absolute privilege to represent an organisation of men and women, like Ronan, whose bravery and commitment continues to astound me. We are men and women who have grown up here; we live here; our children go to school here. We are your police service. We belong to you; we want to protect you; protect your family and protect the future for all of us.

Those people who try to justify these terrible actions, have in the past, spoken of targeting the uniform rather than the individual. I say to them - it is not possible to separate the two.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will not be deterred from its goal to keep the community safe. I sincerely thank everyone who has spoken out or contacted us with words of support and condolence. The strong united voices of political and community support are critical and a great encouragement to the men and women who, today, are out in your communities delivering your police service.

We know that there must be people within the community who know something about Ronan's murder or something about some other past or planned terrorist attack. Help us to prevent the next son; or daughter being taken from their family. I appeal to you that if you know anything at all, no matter how insignificant you feel it might be, to pass that information to police directly on 8225 6659. I understand there may be some people who are uncomfortable and perhaps do not want to speak directly to the police service. You can also give information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers. Their number is 0800 555 111.

Listening to positive conversations

2011-03-31T13:45:00.002+01:00

I spent yesterday in the City of Derry.

I wanted to show my support to the people of the City, to the District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin, his officers and staff, but to also hear first hand from people locally and get a sense of their feeling in the aftermath of yet another, thankfully unsuccessful, attack on the people of that City.

I went out on patrol in the City Centre, walked the walls and met with local community and business representatives and members of the clergy.

The conversations reminded me of how people from all sides and backgrounds are working together to ensure that this City has a bright and positive future and that those who are pursuing a very different agenda remain isolated. Quite frankly a few years ago these conversations simply would not have been taking place and I am very grateful to those who have stepped forward to support and advocate for the Police Service in Derry and in many other areas across Northern Ireland.

The events not just in the City of Derry but in North and West Belfast in recent days show the determination of a small minority of people to disrupt normal community life and to injure or kill the officers who police in those communities. The signficance of the device located in the grounds of the Dwyers GAC on the Grosvenor Road earlier this week may have been lost. This was a viable coffee jar type device which had it been picked up or inadvertently dislodged would have without doubt casued death or serious injury . During this clearance operation homes were evacuated, shops closed and access to the Royal Victoria Hospital disrupted. This disruption affected so many people; familes, school children, businesses and the sick needing access to hospital.

I have great concern for the safety of the public as these people recklessly leave devices in their own communities. I am also concerned for the safety of my officers who are working to deliver the community based policing service people are asking us for . But I am sad that people, who tell us they are campaigning on behalf of their communities, would treat the lives of those living there with such little respect. They don't appear to care that with any one of these devices, they could kill or seriously injure their next door neighbour, a child, an older person. It is beyond words, beyond comprehension.

I received a briefing from Chief Superintendent Martin yesterday on how he and his officers and staff are working around the clock with extra patrols to keep people safe. But whilst we will do everything we possibly can to detect and frustrate those who attempt to carry out acts of terror, history has shown that a security solution alone can never totally eradicate terrorism.

What I witnessed first hand yesterday was group of people who are absolutely determined to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated, that the young people of Derry have a bright and promising future, and that they have a Police Service who consistently strive to provide a personal, professional and protective service.

I share their vision and I firmly believe that their actions and united voices are more powerful than anything else. Everyone has a part to play, everyone has a voice and a degree of influence, people must speak out. Together that collective, positive influence can define our future

Officers of the Police Reserve remembered and honoured

2011-03-24T15:19:00.002Z

On Sunday I had the privilege to join with dignitaries, police and staff colleagues past and present and family members, in an Act of Worship to mark the service of the Police Reserve.

St Anne's Cathedral was packed to capacity, as those present recognised the outstanding contribution and personal sacrifice of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC and the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve.

The RUC Reserve was formed in 1970 at the height of the troubles to support their regular colleagues in maintaining an effective response to terrorism. 102 members of the Police Reserve, full and part time, were killed and many more were injured. 13 others were killed by terrorists after leaving the Service.

In 1999 Patten Commission recommendation 103 stated that the future police service should not include a Full Time Reserve. In line with this recommendation the Reserve is being phased out , with the last of the serving Reserve officers finishing operational duties later this month.

During the Service, an act of remembrance and dedication took place where five candles were lit, by a son and a widow of murdered Reserve officers, a serving Full Time Reserve and a serving Police Officer (Part-Time) Reserve, and a former Reserve officer. The candles represented courage and dedication, self sacrifice, bravery and fortitude and treasured memories.

At the service the Chief Constable paid tribute to the outstanding service of the Reserve to the people of Northern Ireland. He said "Whether you or your loved ones served full time or part-time, you faced the same dangers, the same risks as the regular colleagues you worked alongside.

He continued: "Today we honour with sadness and gratitude our Reserve colleagues who laid down their lives so that the future may be approached with hope of peace. We acknowledge those who today bear the mental and physical scars.”

The public owe the officers of the Reserve a great debt of gratitude and it is my sincere hope that society will never forget what the officers of the Police Reserve helped to achieve.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the wider police family will certainly never forget the bravery and sacrifice of their colleagues and honour their commitment and achievement.

Acknowledging the past: defining the future

2011-03-04T14:32:00.003Z

As the second anniversaries of Sappers Patrick Azimkar, Mark Quinsey and Constable Stephen Carroll approach, my thoughts are with their families and loved ones.

For the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although Stephen’s loss is never far away, his anniversary brings the stark reality of it to the fore once again. His family and colleagues will remember him in their own ways and through a series of events that reflect his character and his sense of duty.

Events of the last two weeks have also reminded us of the terrible loss that has been suffered by so many people in our small part of the world. Over the years of our troubled history there are so many people who have experienced this terrible pain and loss. Time has passed and huge progress has been made; but for many, the pain is still real and still raw.

As a community we have come such a long way. The peace process here has astounded people right around the world. We should not lose sight of how far we have travelled. But we must keep working at it. The path ahead is long and there are challenges that will make the journey difficult. Only by travelling the path together can we hope to make the journey successfully. We must do so conscious of each others’ past; acknowledging each others’ pain; and learning from each others’ experiences.

This is not easy. From my own perspective – the longer I serve as a police officer – the greater my realisation becomes of exactly how difficult this is. The challenge is immense; and it is humbling. But we must continue to work at finding a way to heal the hurt. We owe it to all of those who have suffered; we owe it to those for whom the grief remains raw; and we owe it to our children and their children.

For the community and for our political representatives; and for all other organisations in civic society; acknowledging and dealing with our past is one of the defining issues for our future.

On Wednesday night shots were fired at officers in Derry as they responded to a call about an abandoned vehicle. Two years after the murder of Stephen Carroll, Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey this latest attack serves as a cold reminder, that failure to acknowledge and learn from our past, creates a vacuum for those wishing to perpetuate the divisions we thought we had left behind.

The reaction of the community following the attack has been powerful, with community representatives commenting: “an attack on the Police Service is an attack on all of us”.

Despite the significant threat to their lives, my officer and staff colleagues remain committed to serving the community in which they work.

More and more people are rightly talking of “our police service”. The strength of this relationship would not have been achieved without the brave steps and hard work put in by both the community and the police service over the last few years. Our commitment to continuing this work remains absolute.

Additional funding welcomed

2011-02-25T15:26:00.013Z

Last week, the Police Service welcomed £245 million of additional funding from HM Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The additional finance will ensure that we have the ability to deliver a personal, professional and protective service, while at the same time, enhance our ability to tackle the terrorist threat, keeping our communities, officers and staff safe.

However, this funding must also be considered in the context of the required efficiency savings of £135 million over the next four years.

Every Police Service across the United Kingdom faces its own individual challenges. While we share many common challenges, the Police Service of Northern Ireland is unique because we are the only Service operating under a severe terrorist threat on a daily basis.

Despite this unique situation, we are consistently delivering against the targets set for us by the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Recent achievements include:

An incease of 5.2% in the confidence figure for effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System
A 5.9% reduction in non domestic violence with injury complaints
148 less people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions
A 12% increase in the detection rates for sectarian crime
A 4.2% reduction in reports of anti social behaviour
A 10% reduction in the number of non domestic burglaries
32 crime gangs frustrated, 56 disrupted and 31 dismantled
An additional 594 police officers redeployed to neighbourhood and response policing (against a target of 600)

We have achieved a great deal, but are not complacent and have more work to do to achieve all our targets.

Our performance this year is improving across almost all areas. We are moving in absolutely the right direction, regarding the number of cash seizures and confiscation orders, domestic violence with injury crimes, detection rate for robberies, detection rates for homophobic crimes and the detection rate for serious sexual crime.

We have never used the terrorist threat as an excuse for under-performing and never will. We will continue to use our available resources to ensure that the appropriate additional protection will be provided for all officers and staff.

Despite the unique challenges, I believe there is always room for improvement. Many of the achievements are very commendable and your assistance is helping us to meet these targets and improve our performance is very welcome.

Now that we have certainty regarding our budget going forward into the next four years, I assure you we will do everything possible to deliver the very best Police Service we can.

I hope you continue to give us your support in doing so.

Getting engaged

2011-02-07T17:09:00.005Z

If you're reading this blog, there’s a good chance that you might have picked up the link on one the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s seven Facebook sites and three twitter feeds.

Over the past 12 months we have introduced an overall corporate Facebook and a series of local pages for Holywood, Bangor, Ards, Ballymena, Brownlow (Craigavon) and Fermanagh.

Whether we like it or not Social Media has become an almost essential part of everyday life for many people with an estimated 600 million users worldwide.

Communication is one of the key priorities for any police service and it is important that we make full use of every available opportunity to engage with the public we serve.

Being a regular follower of our Facebook pages I have been very encouraged by the number of followers and the very constructive conversations and comments which have developed across this medium. You may even recall my mention in an earlier blog of the stolen property recovered as a result of information posted on the Holywood site last year – a first we understand for UK policing.

It is always important to review any initiative to establish how effective it is. We recently commissioned a multi channel survey of the effectiveness of one of our first local pilots, Holywood, which currently has 3000 followers, about 20% of the town’s population.

One thousand surveys were posted to local households throughout the Holywood area of North Down; face to face consultation with people in Holywood was undertaken by District Policing Partnership members; survey information was collected from local residents, businesses and parents of primary school pupils; the views of 281 Year 13 and Year 14 pupils were sought in two local colleges; an online survey was created and placed on our Holywood Facebook page (Our first online survey of this nature).

The surveys were carried out in November and December 2010 and resulted in 695 completed questionnaires being received.

Notable results indicated that seven out of ten of the survey respondents (71%) used Facebook and just over half (53%) of all respondents had accessed the PSNI Holywood Facebook, validating our decision to use the service.

You can access the full findings of the survey by following the attached link: http://on.fb.me/hAunQt

Interestingly, the survey itself has apparently had a knock on effect, generating even more awareness of the page, which in turn appears to have contributed another increase in the numbers of those following the page.

It is of course important to recognise that the use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media opportunities will supplement conventional ways of providing information and accessibility to the public, for example, by having police officers available and visible in the heart of our towns and communities.

If you live in one of our pilot areas then why not become, if you are not already, a follower. You’ll be amazed at the local information and engagement opportunities it provides.

Help us save lives

2011-01-28T14:51:00.002Z

The selfishness and recklessness of the people who planted the bombs on the Antrim Road this week beggar’s belief.

Over the past few days, I have closely monitored the painstaking operation to make the area safe and return it back to some form of normality. These operations take time and I want to thank the public for their patience and the sense of community extended to those who for safety reasons, had to leave their homes.

I have listened to accounts from residents, politicians, community representatives and business owners about how the life of the local community has been disrupted. How the people responsible can justify their actions to their neighbours is beyond me.

By good fortune, the lives of local people and police officers protecting the community have been saved. These devices were there for only one reason, to kill. Just think how many people must have walked past them as they hired and returned DVDs to their local store - many of them children and young people no doubt.

The second device, clearly targeted at police and army personnel responding to the incident was placed behind a Scout Hall. There is no such thing as a responsible bomb, but to place a bomb at premises where young people gather brings irresponsibility to a new low.

These people have tried kill many times before and will try again . Our efforts to frustrate, detect and put them before the courts will continue. We have had many successes to build on, but we still need your help and support.

If you know anything about this or any other similar incident, please come forward directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers - telephone number 0800 555111 and tell us what you know.

Ultimately it's the information which you provide that could make the difference, and literally save the lives of people in your family, your community, your police service.

Condemnation and celebration

2011-01-21T14:12:00.007Z

The bomb attack at the City of Culture offices in Derry earlier this week showed a complete disregard for the local and wider community, and the desire of the vast majority of people to celebrate everything that is good about Northern Ireland.

The device exploded in the early hours of the morning and those responsible had absolutely no way of knowing that there would not have been people in the area at that time. Quite clearly, they didn’t care.

It is not that long ago that Derry City was celebrating it’s successful bid and selection as the UK City of Culture 2013. I understand that plans are well under way to make it a year to remember for all the right reasons, putting the City and Northern Ireland, well and truly on the map.

I join with the local politicians, community representatives and business leaders to totally condemn those who were responsible.

In 2013, Northern Ireland will also host the World Police and Fire Games. The Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Prison Service will host approximately 10 000 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire-fighters from around the world who will compete in a wide variety of sporting events. It will be the biggest sporting event Northern Ireland will ever have seen.

In the current economic climate this is another fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what Northern Ireland has to offer. It is also an opportunity to showcase this beautiful part of the world as a place that warmly welcomes visitors from near and far, and an opportunity to attract much needed income and investment to support the local economy. These are things which all right thinking people want and those responsible for the recent attack clearly fail to grasp or choose to ignore.

As your Police Service we will continue to do everything we can to prevent, frustrate and detect the small minority who continue to carry out acts of terror.

As a community I would again call for your full support in doing so.

A New Year, new decade and new challenges

2011-01-06T10:37:00.005Z

As many of us return to work following one of the coldest festive breaks for generations, over the past number of weeks, your Police Service has been busy helping people across Northern Ireland.

I’m aware of many incidents where police officers have come to the aid of snow bound families and motorists, or helped by distributing water to communities affected by the recent thaw, burst pipes and subsequent water shortages.

The arrival of a New Year and decade also brings new challenges for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

I look forward in anticipation to a year of opportunities to demonstrate how the Police Service of Northern Ireland is working to become the finest personal, protective and professional police service in the world.

My hope for 2011 is that the people and communities of Northern Ireland will not experience the disgraceful acts of terror, which were not only attacks on individuals but on the entire community of Northern Ireland.

I think in particular of those police officers who were injured, for no other reason other than they have chosen to serve the people of Northern Ireland. I also think of those members of the community, in some cases young children, who were victims of terrorist attacks last year. The New Year brings a new opportunity for us all to work together to help keep all of our communities safe.

Later this year, The Police Service of Northern Ireland will be ten years old. Since its inception, no other police service anywhere in the world has so effectively and positively embraced such a huge degree of change. We are continually developing into a service that is listening more and more carefully to the community - a policing service that everyone can support and be proud of.

There is no doubt that 2011 will be challenging on many fronts. Financially, whilst our discussions with local and national government to secure a significant funding package are at an advanced stage, the efficiency targets set in the proposed budget will be extremely challenging to meet.

This means that we must continue to identify and deliver efficiencies without compromising on the service we deliver. The terrorist threat has not diminished and we will continue to do everything we can to frustrate and detect those who seek to cause harm. And later in the Spring of this year, we will publish our policing commitments to you, so that you can be clear on the standards of service you can expect from your police service.

We will do everything we can to ensure that we deliver on everything that we have promised, but in return, I again ask you to fully support us in our efforts to keep all communities safe - whether that is safe from crime or anti-social behaviour, safe from danger caused by hazardous weather conditions, or safe from terrorism.

Together we can ensure that we deliver, and that you receive the police service that we all want.

Looking back and looking forward

2010-12-23T12:38:00.001Z

This will more than likely be my last blog of 2010 and as I look back on 2010 and plan ahead for 2011 and beyond, I reflect on a year of many challenges, rewards and frustrations , and look forward to a year full of both challenge and promise.

Over the past year I sense more than ever that the Police Service of Northern Ireland has begun to establish its own identity and demonstrate that it is a police service which can be trusted and respected. It is hard to take in that the PSNI is almost 10 years old. Trust and confidence must be earned, and I believe in many areas we are seeing that relationship of trust building in very tangible ways.

Ultimately it is our delivery of a personal, professional and protective policing that will be the deciding factor in earning and retaining your support , and you will rightly hold us to account on that.

As I reflect, I think of the worrying increase in the threat from terrorists. I think of the officers who have been injured and I am mindful of the very significant efforts of your police service to keep everyone safe.

This has been a very difficult and costly task - both in terms of the personal cost borne by injured officers and members of the community who themselves have suffered at the hands of terrorists.

Just last night, two days before Christmas, the home of a police officer and his family was targeted in County Fermanagh, my thoughts are with them.

I assure you that we are, and remain, absolutely determined to do all we can to counter this threat and to keep people safe.

We operate in a unique policing environment, but despite the challenges we have continued to deliver many successes over the past year.

By way of example, between January and October this year, there were 169 terrorist related arrests with 59 people charged. This compares to a total of 17 people charged during all of 2009.; over 90 crime gangs have been frustrated, disrupted or dismantled ; whilst one road death is too many, road traffic fatalities have been considerably reduced; over 570 additional police officers have been deployed to the front line; we've seen a huge growth in Neighbourhood Watch Schemes; and perhaps a first in UK policing , we've seen stolen property recovered as a result of one of our Facebook initiatives.

We are not complacent and we acknowledge that many of our successes are a direct result of the relationship which we have developed and the support which we continue to receive from all parts of the community right across Northern Ireland. Your continued support will ensure that we can continue to deliver the type and style of policing which we all want and deserve.

As I plan over the next few weeks to spend a little more time with my family and friends, I look forward to 2011 and working with you all to build on the progress which we have made.

Thank you for your support over the past year. I encourage you all to take care and be responsible when you are out and about over the next few weeks.

I wish you all a very enjoyable and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Look out for one another

2010-12-10T15:06:00.001Z

Over the past week Northern Ireland has experienced the lowest temperatures on record, with some places recording temperatures as low as minus 12 degrees.

Although many areas are beginning to experience milder temperatures, many places remain covered in a blanket of ice and snow - and forecasters are predicting more snow on the way next week.

Sadly the roads have claimed a number of lives over the past week and my thoughts are with those who have lost family members and friends in these collisions. In the run up to Christmas, this is particularly poignant.

I know the Roads Service has been working around the clock to help ensure that the main routes, and where possible some minor roads, are kept as clear as possible. We owe them our thanks for the difficult task which they undertake, often in very treacherous conditions, to help keep us all safe.

By only venturing out when journeys are absolutely necessary, allowing plenty of time for our journey, reducing our speed, keeping our distance, using our headlights and fog lights when appropriate, clearing windscreens fully and making sure our lights, washer bottles, wipers etc are all working properly we can all help keep each other safe. And of course we should never, ever drink and drive.

I was greatly encouraged by the sense of community and concern which I heard about earlier this week, as the people of a small West Belfast community gave away free thermal clothing to their older neighbours. This was a really practical and thoughtful thing to do.

During last year’s winter months it is estimated that more than 1,000 people aged over 65 died due to the winter weather. With even colder temperatures, much earlier in the winter period, there is a very real risk of this number increasing.

Many older people really struggle during periods of extreme cold. I was recently told of a story where a lady in a Belfast shopping centre saw two older people having a packed lunch. When they were asked what they were doing, they explained that they come to the centre and bring a lunch with them so they don’t have to put their heating on.

We all know of older family members or neighbours who are vulnerable. Whilst it is good to check in with them throughout the year, it is even more important at this time to regularly call and check to make sure that they are warm, that they wear lots of layers of clothes and that they have sufficient food in their homes so that they do not have to venture out onto slippery surfaces.

In the business of life, especially in the run-up to Christmas, it’s often easy to overlook those who need our help the most. Let’s all be really good neighbours this Christmas.

Be safe this Christmas

2010-12-02T12:13:00.001Z

It seems no time at all since last Christmas. While many people are only starting their preparations for the festive season now, your Police Service started the planning process many months ago.

A series of Police operations, designed to help keep you safe as you go about your Christmas activities have already begun.

This is one of the busiest times of the year with a huge influx of people visiting our city and town centres to socialise and shop. With greater numbers of people, comes the increased risk of opportunistic criminals attempting to steal money, commit fraud and break into people homes and businesses to take goods and gifts.

Police will do as much as possible, not only make you feel safe but keep you safe. Over the next few weeks we will be prioritising patrols to keep people safe when they are out socialising, to protect homes from being targeted for burglary, to prevent motoring offences in order to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes and to detect and frustrate acts of terrorism.

The effectiveness of our operation depends on the support we receive from you all. You can help us by:

Be Safe - Protect Your Property

Don’t leave gifts on display, and remember when you are leaving the house or going to bed to close, lock and check all your doors and windows and set your alarm
If anyone calls at your house you are unsure of, don’t let them in – always ask for ID
If you are going away over Christmas inform your neighbour and ask local Police to put your details in the vacant house register
Be alert to the possibility of a thief snatching your handbag or mobile phone
Take care when taking out cash at an ATM. Consider using your switch card to get cash back at a till
Park in a well-lit area or an attended car park and never leave parcels or valuables in view in a car
Call in and make sure any older relatives and neighbours are doing ok

Be Safe - Get Home Safe

If you are going to drink alcohol, drink responsibly
Plan your journey home in advance
Stay in well lit, familiar areas
Don't become separated from your friends
Never accept a drink from someone you don't know
Always have enough money to get yourself home

Be Safe - Never, Ever Drink and Drive

Our message to road users is very simple. Drinking and driving kills, maims, wrecks families and communities
Our aim is to save lives and reduce injuries
We will have operations which will run day and night throughout the Christmas period

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

People do not decide to become extraordinary… They decide to accomplish extraordinary things

2010-11-22T13:25:00.003Z

I was delighted to have had the opportunity to speak at a number of events last week. Two of these were almost exclusively female audiences, made up of senior representatives from organisations spanning the public and private sectors.

Hannah Shields was the keynote speaker at Friday’s Visible Women event being run by Ards and North Down Borough Councils. Hannah, from Kilrea, was the first ever women from Northern Ireland to conquer Mount Everest. She has a quite remarkable and fascinating tale of personal perseverance, determination and passion to achieve her own personal goal.

We can all think of at least one person who has influenced or inspired us - a parent, friend, colleague or complete stranger. Perhaps, not surprisingly, Hannah referred to Sir Edmund Hilary who said: “People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”

When we actually think about it, every single one of us has our own personal challenges to overcome. And whilst very few of us will ever climb Mount Everest, every day ordinary people achieve extraordinary things.

People who give up their own time to work in communities as volunteers for example. People who work with children and young people who may be at risk.

Perhaps one of the biggest life challenges is to be a parent. You can train for months and then undertake a physical challenge, but sons and daughters are for life. As parents we are extremely powerful people - and although sometimes we may not think it, our potential to influence our children is a lifetime one.

Whilst most crime is committed by adults, and often young people are victims of crime, unfortunately as a Police Service we all too often come into contact with children or young people who have become involved in criminality or have been drawn into risky situations by their peers.

Recent incidents of public disorder are a prime example. Of course, not everyone involved in the disorder was a young person, and it was clear that there were individuals seeking to influence younger people and place them at real risk in these situations.

Our desire is not to criminalise young people. Where possible and appropriate, we want to give those who have been caught committing crime another chance.

Most importantly, we need the support of parents to prevent young people getting involved in risky situations in the first place. Make sure you know where your children are and who they are with. Young people also need to recognise that their actions now can have a significant impact on their future.

I certainly want a future Northern Ireland free from violence, fear, discrimination and division for my children.

Together we can make real progress towards achieving that goal.

Success, challenge and support

2010-11-09T12:32:00.003Z

On Monday last week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland collected two National Pay Roll Giving Awards, Best Public Sector and Best Overall UK Campaign, at a reception at HM Treasury in London.

On Thursday last week, your Police Service was recognised at the Jane’s Police Review Gala Awards in London.

Sergeant Brian Caskey was awarded third place in the Community Police Officer of the Year category, Inspector John Kinkead came second in the Lifetime Achievement in Policing Award and the Unite Against Hate campaign was awarded third place in the Diversity in Action Award.

These successes contrast sharply with the attempted murder of three police officers on Friday evening, as they were carrying out their normal duties – duties their colleagues were recognised and rewarded for carrying out the previous evening.

Terrorists once again showed their complete disregard for the safety of not just the police officers they clearly wanted to kill, but anyone who might have been in the area at that time. The device used was a military type grenade designed to fragment on detonation and kill anyone within a ten-metre radius.

Shrapnel was recovered over a large area and was found embedded in the shutters of local premises.

Thankfully none of the officers were seriously injured. One officer had to remain in medical care and underwent a series of operations on his arm, but I am delighted to report that he was released from hospital earlier today.

I know that all right thinking people will join with me in wishing each of the officers a full and speedy recovery.

These officers were out delivering a service to the local community, responding to a call for assistance from a local shop owner who had been robbed. They were carrying out an investigation to identify the person responsible and ensuring that the local community was protected from serious harm.

Our success in winning a variety of national awards is further recognition of the professionalism, determination and generosity of your police officers and staff who work daily in a truly unique and very challenging policing environment.

No other police service in the UK operates in a policing environment like Northern Ireland. And to be the only police service to pick up three awards, together with the Payroll giving award was a truly outstanding achievement.

Friday evening could have so easily had a different outcome. Police officers, local people, including young people and children in the area at the time of this attack could have been seriously injured or killed.

Our investigation into the robbery and attempted murder is ongoing and we are determined to identify those responsible.

I appeal for your support, not just in this investigation, but for the officers who day and daily continue to deliver a personal, professional and protective policing service despite the significant challenges.

Wear it Pink

2010-10-28T15:49:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow (29 October) the Police Service is supporting the Breast Cancer campaign 'Wear it Pink’.

Every year, thousands of loved ones are affected by breast cancer. Having lost somebody very special to me through Cancer, I am delighted that all across the Service, police officers and staff are wearing something pink in support of this very worthy cause.

Obviously police officers, in uniform, will be limited as to the degree of their pinkness Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women.

At around 12,000 deaths annually, it is the second biggest cause of death from cancer of women. Alarmingly one woman in nine will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

But did you know that men can also suffer from breast cancer and, although it is rare, almost 300 men (in the UK) are diagnosed each year and around 90 men a year die from breast cancer.

The good news is that survival rates for breast cancer have improved significantly over the last 20 years and the most recent figures show around 80 per cent of women in the UK diagnosed today will be alive in five years time.

The increased survival rate is largely due to increased awareness of breast cancer, the introduction of the screening program and the successes of breast cancer research, which have led to improved treatments that are now available.

This is just one example of the long tradition of very generous charitable giving by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In fact very recently we won a National Pay Roll Giving Excellence Award in recognition of the number of police officers and staff who donate monthly to a nominated charity of their choice.

You won't often read about the generosity of police officers and staff in the media, but just as we tangibly deliver a police service every day of the week, in the background we also financially support those who need help and support of a different nature.

So I hope tomorrow you will join with your Police Service, family members, friends and colleagues to 'Wear it Pink’.

Engaging with local communities

2010-10-15T16:50:00.002+01:00

With my daily commitments, regrettably I don’t get the opportunity to get out and about and meet members of the public as often as I’d like to.

However, last night (Thursday) I was in Craigavon, which is a busy and challenging policing environment, to meet with members of the local District Policing and Community Safety Partnerships.

Members were there at the invitation of the local District Commander, Chief Superintendent Alasdair Robinson, to hear more about the challenges of delivering a personal, professional and protective policing service on a daily basis.

Perhaps one of the most impactive presentations of the evening was a snap shot of the late duty shift (4.00pm – 12.00midnight) on 22 February 2010. It would take too long to rehearse every detail but during this time police officers across ‘E’ district (Armagh, Banbridge, Newry and Mourne and Craigavon) were dealing with 93 different incidents. In fact, across Northern Ireland in the same shift there were 581 incidents – that’s just over one reported incident every minute.

Within ‘E’ District these ranged from reports of antisocial behaviour, six people missing, thefts, suspicious vehicles, road traffic collisions, a substantial illicit drugs factory – and in the background, the district call management centre were carefully considering and prioritising each call to ensure an appropriate level of response based on the risk to the caller and the risk to the police officers attending.

In the middle of everything else that was going on, at around 10.00pm, a bomb call was received to Newry Court House and immediately, significant resources needed to be reprioritised to deal with this incident. At 10.37pm the bomb exploded whilst police were still clearing the area.

What the Commander, and his colleagues, had to say last night was important - but the purpose of the evening was as much about listening to the representatives present.

We fully acknowledge the importance of listening to you and your elected and community representatives –after all policing is a partnership. As we move towards considering our policing plan for next year in partnership with the Policing Board, we need to consider what you see as your policing priorities and concerns for the year ahead. We also need to listen, learn and act when your experience of policing falls short of your expectations.

We face challenges daily in every district across Northern Ireland. However, I have used the example from E District to illustrate the diversity of incidents which may occur.

We want to deliver a quality police service for everyone – and we will continue to work hard to do that, in spite of all of the challenges we face.

Your support and assistance is critical to making sure that we work effectively, which in turn allows us to have the right people in the right place at the right time to deliver the personal, professional and protective police service that you quite rightly require and deserve.

For the next generation

2010-10-08T15:00:00.002+01:00

Last week I joined with young people, parents and teachers, at LismoreCollege, to celebrate the academic success of the future generation of Derry.

As I addressed those present, I spoke about their future opportunities and their aspirations for a City which has so much to offer.

On Tuesday morning, terrorists once again attempted to shatter that future. In the early hours, police officers worked against the clock to make sure residents and visitors to the City were kept safe from the actions of those who yet again showed a complete and total disregard for the safety of others.

Thankfully the two police officers who were caught up in the blast were not badly injured, no thanks to those whose reckless intentions were only ever going to kill, maim or destroy.

The damage caused to tourism and investment in the City is difficult to measure. The money required to repair the damage will probably run into millions; money that will not now be available to reinvest back into the local area which so badly needs it.

As I listened to the words of condemnation from local people, visitors, elected representatives and business owners it is so difficult to understand why people, no doubt some of whom live in the City, would inflict this terror and misery on their own doorstep, when there is so clearly no appetite for it from the vast majority of local people.

The police officers who stepped out to save life on Tuesday morning in Derry didn’t stop to ask people who or what they were and nor do they, as they go about delivering a personal, professional and protective policing service every day across Northern Ireland.

Your Police Service continues to work tirelessly, night and day, to bring those responsible for such actions to account. I know that there are people who are aware or suspect who these people are and this information is critical.

Once again, I appeal for your support. Help us before another life is lost and another community shattered.

Nobody deserves this. If you don’t do it for yourself, then do it for the next generation.

A day to Remember

2010-09-30T16:52:00.003+01:00

Last Sunday I was privileged to join police colleagues from across the United Kingdom and representatives from An Garda Síochána, for the National Police Memorial Day at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

The annual service is held on the nearest Sunday to the 29th September to coincide with Saint Michael's day, the patron Saint of Police Officers and rotates around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

National Police Memorial Day was established in 2004 to remember police officers who have been killed or who have died on duty, to demonstrate to relatives, friends and colleagues of fallen officers, that their sacrifice is not forgotten and to recognise the dedication to duty and courage displayed by police officers.

Last year there were eight police officers who were died on duty. Six of the officers, two from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Constable Gary Grieves (46) and Constable Gareth Gallagher (22), three from the London Metropolitan Police Service, D/Sergeant Iain McLay (42), Constable Sean McColgan (37) and Constable Daniel Gibb (25) and one for Wiltshire Constable Michael Johnson (46), died whilst making their way to or from duty.

Constable Daniel Cooper (22), Wiltshire Police, died in a road traffic collision whilst responding to a call for assistance from colleagues and most of us will remember the tragic death of Constable William Barker (44) who was swept off a bridge in Cumbria during the floods of last November.

It was a very emotional service with thousands of people from various forces and counties, public representatives, colleagues, family members and friends, standing side by side to remember and honour those who have given their lives in the service of others.

Policing by its very nature is a dangerous occupation. Every day, across the United Kingdom, police officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the communities whom they serve from serious harm.

No Police Service understands this more so than the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the past, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland at present.

Police officers walk towards danger when others run away. Over the years police officers here, through their quick thinking, resourcefulness, and administration of first aid have saved the lives of many ordinary people from burning homes, frozen lakes and canals, heavy seas, mountains and snow, whilst putting their own lives at risk.

Only last week a local councillor, in West Belfast referred to police officers who attempted to save a man from his burning home as ‘heroes’. The officers suffered smoke inhalation as result of their attempt to rescue the man.

The police service is often referred to as a ‘family’ and there is no doubt that there is a unique bond between police officers and their families, regardless of where they serve.

The public owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women, officers and staff, who work tirelessly, in very difficult circumstances to deliver policing across the United Kingdom.

The challenge to us all is to never forget that sacrifice. As the act of remembrance says “We will remember them”.

No compromise on the things that matter most

2010-09-22T15:05:00.002+01:00

There is absolutely no doubt, as the Government undertakes its’ spending review, that the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be asked to make efficiencies just the same as every other Police Service across the United Kingdom.

In some respects, the PSNI is ahead of the game. In response to the findings of our own Strategic Review, we have critically examined how we do our business to identify how we can use our people and resources to best effect.

The concept of efficiency and effectiveness is very clearly enshrined in one of our Chief Constable’s five strategic principles: ‘Resources and time focused upon genuine operational delivery. Ensuring we have the right people in the right place to prevent harm, protect from danger and inspire confidence.’

We have already delivered over 400 additional police officers to frontline policing and we are determined to identify more ways to reduce bureaucracy, push for further criminal justice reforms and ensure that our officers are more visible, in more places, for much longer, and are focussed on the things that matter most to local communities.

We are a unique police service, policing a unique environment. This makes us all the more determined to continue to influence Government, locally and nationally, to secure an appropriate level of funding which will allow us to meet the increased threat from terrorists head on, and to deprive them of the opportunities to murder, wreck and maim that they seek.

We will do our absolute best to deliver on the agreed targets in our Policing Plan, and to ensure that there is no policing vacuum that others will seek to fill.

Later this year we will expand on those targets to develop a series of Policing with the Community commitments. Once completed, we will deliver information about the commitments to every household in Northern Ireland. These commitments are simply about 'delivering the basics well' in areas that are important, such as, keeping people informed, visibility and accessibility. A mechanism to ensure that we deliver a personal, professional and protective policing service.

Regardless of what financial pressures come our way, we will not compromise on those things that matter most. We will continue to tackle serious harm, whatever form that might take, we will continue to work with other agencies to help protect the most vulnerable in our communities and we will seek to provide the personal Police Service that we all want and deserve.

We can make a difference but only if you continue to give us your complete and active support.

Indiscriminate attack on primary school disgusting and difficult to comprehend

2010-09-07T11:48:00.002+01:00

Yesterday morning’s completely indiscriminate attack on the primary school children of St Comgall’s in Antrim as they arrived for another week absolutely disgusted me.

B e under no illusions, this was a real device carefully put together for one reason - to kill or seriously injure whoever happened to be in close proximity at that time.

There is no such thing as a responsible bomb, but the recklessness of someone prepared to place a bomb at a primary school where it could be picked up by an eight year old child and carried into the school is difficult to comprehend.

The vast majority of people had hoped that with the very significant progress which had been achieved towards a shared future in recent years, such acts of blatant sectarianism could be confined to the past.

Sadly there are still those within our communities, who no doubt have eight year old family members themselves’, who for whatever reason cannot contemplate the concept of mutual respect and understanding. This type of attack makes it difficult to imagine what their vision of the future is for their children.

It is unreasonable to expect the Police Service alone to deal with the cancer of deep seated hatred which obviously still exists within our community. We rightly deal with the symptoms of the problem but the cause requires everyone’s efforts. Northern Ireland is moving on.

What we need now is a real concerted effort to ensure we continue to move in the right direction. Condemnation of such attacks is welcome, but even more welcome is consistent action, from communities and community leaders, to isolate those who put the lives and the future of children - of all our children - at risk. Such action will ensure we really do move on.

As a police officer, and a parent, I share the collective responsibility to do everything I can to encourage tolerance and understanding of those who don’t necessarily share the same opinions or views as I do. We must all continue to work together to promote understanding and tolerance.

Together I believe we can make a difference and isolate those within our communities who clearly have a different agenda.

Mela 2010

2010-08-31T12:27:00.001+01:00

I was delighted on Sunday to have been invited to attend the Belfast Mela in Botanic Gardens. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been associated with and a sponsor of the Mela since its inception four years ago.

The word Mela means ‘to meet’ and what an exciting array of colour, scents, food and diversity were on display on Sunday. Recently so many of the news headlines have portrayed images of hatred but this was a fantastic example of everything tolerant and positive about the future of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Over 30,000 people descended on the gardens at Botanic to celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich cultural background. People from all over the City of Belfast and further afield, from all backgrounds and cultures, ages and communities coming together to enjoy a varied programme of music, food and dance.

Indeed as I was leaving there was a huge queue of people waiting patiently at the gates of the park to get in, such was the interest in the event.

As I have said many times before our diversity is something to be celebrated and not feared. The Indian community first started arriving in Northern Ireland in the 1920’s and whilst the community is relatively small, the Mela has become the biggest multi-cultural event in Northern Ireland, attracting stalls and performers from all over the world.

It was my pleasure to have had the opportunity to join with them to celebrate everything they have contributed to life in Northern Ireland.

I also took the opportunity to visit the PSNI and Unite Against Hate stand. Unite Against Hate is a partnership initiative to promote diversity and create a zero tolerance of hate crime and discrimination.

If you would like to add your support, you can find out more at: HYPERLINK "http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/" http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/

The more people who become actively involved the better. For example, if everyone who visited the Mela on Sunday became proactively involved, think of the difference that could make.

My sincere thanks to all who supported the Belfast Mela and especially to Artsekta for bringing such a beacon of hope to the City of Belfast.

Dealing with the past is the responsibility of everyone

2010-08-26T15:03:00.004+01:00

The terrible events of the 31^st July 1972 in Claudy have been the focus of attention over the past days.

The regret expressed by former Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, on behalf of the PSNI, when he met with the families of those injured and killed, in December 2002, has not diminished in the intervening years.

At that meeting ACC Kinkaid briefed the families on the findings of a police review of the original investigation. Afterwards ACC Kinkaid said “it is clear that the relatives of those who died in the bomb attack in Claudy village and those who were injured have not received justice. I regret this very much and in particular that opportunities to arrest and interview all of the suspects were not taken."

I wholeheartedly agree with what ACC Kinkaid said. The Royal Ulster Constabulary didn’t always get it right, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made mistakes too.

We police in a very different context today, and this is in no way intended to make excuses for the past. Our aim is to deliver a personal, professional and protective police service, which ensures that the events in Claudy are not repeated.

No Police Service could ever say that they will always get it right. But it will not be for the want of trying. And it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of so many police officers and police staff who in the midst of the unrelenting violence of the 1970’s were killed or injured delivering a police service, trying to keep all communities safe.

In the months and years to come, there will no doubt be difficult and challenging times as Northern Ireland tries to reconcile itself with its past.

Through the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), we are attempting to facilitate a process to recover the truth and ensure that those individuals who have questions receive the answers they seek, uncomfortable as those answers may be.

That work will continue. We would encourage anyone with information in relation to Claudy, or indeed any historical event linked to the Troubles, to come forward to the HET.

Neighbourhood connections can work together

2010-08-17T16:44:00.002+01:00

I had the pleasure of patrolling the streets of Downpatrick last Friday afternoon with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. As I patrolled I had the opportunity to speak to numerous members of the public, local representatives and business owners.

What was abundantly clear to me was that the people of Downpatrick want a visible Police Service who know and understand the needs of those who live in, work in and visit Downpatrick. I saw first hand a team of officers who have a passion for doing exactly that.

Recent events have very clearly caused much concern within the Downpatrick area, and across Northern Ireland, and it was very clear that anyone I spoke to had absolutely no time for those who continue to inflict acts of terrorism on individuals and communities.

I was disgusted by the indiscriminate act which could have so easily have taken the lives of three children in Lurgan on Saturday afternoon. Those who carried out this attack showed a complete disregard for the safety of anyone who happened to be in this area at that time, and it is only by pure good fortune that no-one was killed. It would appear that there are no boundaries to their recklessness.

I very much welcome and greatly appreciate the public show of support, on Saturday, for my colleague who terrorists tried to murder in Kilkeel last week. Events like this further serve to isolate those responsible and demonstrate the lack of support for those who attempt to carry out such acts of terror.

The Police Service is continuing to raise its game, to tackle head on, those whose intent it is to cause terror. You will see over the next days and weeks an increased visible police presence as we work to prevent, frustrate and detect further terrorist activity. Already this year we have arrested and charged 40 people in relation to dissident republican activity . This will continue.

We cannot be everywhere all the time but you can, and must, help us by being our eyes and ears in your local area. Look out for your friends and neighbours, and immediately report anything suspicious. Those people who have information and choose not to disclose it need to seriously examine their conscience.

We are absolutely committed to playing our active part in defeating terrorism but we cannot work alone. More than ever, we need, rely on, and must have your active support.

As a society we still have work to do

2010-07-27T17:18:00.004+01:00

The images of violence recently broadcast across the world have highlighted that, as a society we still have work to do.

The totally unacceptable attacks on police officers over the 12th July period, which resulted in injuries to more than 80 of my colleagues, are a clear indication of that fact.

Communities the world over ask an immense amount from police officers and no more so is that the case than in Northern Ireland.

Once again my officers have placed themselves between the differing voices on our streets, and paid a high price. The cost of protecting the legitimate rights of those who wanted to walk and those who wanted to protest has run into millions of pounds.

In the current financial climate, when public money should be spent on personal policing, hospital beds, nurses, school places, teachers, the list goes on, the public purse is stretched and money has been diverted away from delivering critical services.

I recognise the efforts of community representatives, politicians, and those in other positions of authority, who have engaged tirelessly with each other to resolve these issues, and I encourage and exhort those involved to continue and indeed increase these efforts.

There has been a great deal of time and effort spent in addressing these issues in recent years, but there is still much to do.

For our part we are determined to work with anyone to help bring about a resolution to the issue, but in the absence of such a resolution we will continue to protect communities and individual human rights.

As evidence of this commitment, to date we have arrested over 40 people in connection with the violence and I assure you that more arrests and charges will follow.

The recent disorder will not deter us from delivering the personal, professional, protective service which everyone in our community expects and indeed deserves.

The words of support we have received include messages from members of our communities and beyond, who registered their shock and disgust as events unfolded and felt compelled to voice their anger at the violence, and their support and sympathy to the injured officers.

They included people who stepped forward from within the affected communities to say enough is enough and that the rioters do not represent them.

If ever there was an indicator of the desire for a quality policing service then this is it, and we will continue to deliver that personal, professional service to everyone.

The restraint and professionalism displayed by each of the officers involved in the policing operation in the face of extreme danger, and the response of the service as a whole was once again outstanding.

The praise, which has been loudly voiced locally, nationally and internationally is tangible. Their actions have been commended in the highest forum through the words of praise from Prime Minister, David Cameron. Add to that the words of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, at last week’s Police Officer Graduation ceremony, who quite rightly highlighted that police officers are all 'active leaders' within the peace process.

We will continue to play our part.

Others must now, more than ever, do the same.

Financial pressure

2010-07-06T10:41:00.003+01:00

At last Thursday's Policing Board meeting there was a public debate on the likely impact public spending cuts will have on the Service.

Given the current financial context it is almost inevitable that - just like every other public service across Northern Ireland - we will need to find additional savings.

It is absolutely right and proper that this debate should be held in public. Politicians and the community must be told about the potential impact funding cuts will have on the police service we provide, to ensure the very best and most appropriate decisions are made.

Whatever the outcome of the funding decisions, I assure you that we will continue to provide a personal, professional, protective policing service.

Whatever difficult decisions lie ahead, let it be clear that we will not compromise on the safety of the public, our officers and staff.

We have already demonstrated, in planning for the future, that we are prepared to make some very difficult decisions.

Our aim to be the finest, personal, professional and protective police service in the world remains.

To make this a reality, we need to work in even closer partnership with, and have greater support from, you.

Graduation day

2010-06-22T16:35:00.002+01:00

I had the pleasure on Friday afternoon, past, to convene the graduation of 53 men and women and witness their attestation as Constables in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

I felt a great sense of pride as I joined with hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues to share in this very special day. Young men, and women, from across geographical boundaries, community backgrounds and nationalities. People who had taken the decision to serve their community, and the people of Northern Ireland, through the very honourable profession of Policing.

As Convening Officer I have the privilege to be one of the first to address our very latest Constables. I took the opportunity to congratulate them but also to reinforce the need to make every encounter with the public personal and professional, to treat people as they would wish to be treated themselves – to use every opportunity to demonstrate that the Police Service of Northern Ireland can become the finest personal, professional and protective police service in the world.

These men and women have now joined the ranks of an organisation which has a critical and influential part to play in strengthening community support for policing and I have absolutely no doubt that they are totally up for it.

In a few weeks time these officers will be patrolling your streets and communities as your local police officers trying to get a sense of what is important to you and what makes you feel safe and this can only be achieved by your consistent support, as we work together towards a safe, confident and peaceful Northern Ireland.

Debating Policing and Justice

2010-06-10T16:20:00.008+01:00

It was my pleasure to visit the Presbyterian General Assembly earlier this week, at the invitation of the Moderator, to take part in a panel debate on Policing and Justice along with the Minister of Justice, David Ford, acting Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Brian Rea, and the Director of Probation Brian McCaughey.

This was a fantastic opportunity to engage with around 300 people, of all ages, from across Northern Ireland on important issues such as dealing with anti social behaviour, resourcing the policing service, improvements to the criminal justice system and the priority of policing in relation to other important services like health and education.

During the course of the evening the audience asked the panel a broad range of very challenging questions and expressed their views of what they expected and required from their Police Service and the other agencies and departments represented.

The one thing that was clear is that there was very strong support for the rule of law and for a Police Service which listens and is responsive to the needs of the community.

Our intention is very clear. We want to be a Police Service which is personal, impartial, focused, visible and in the heart of, and working with, the community to make a difference and to prevent harm, protect from danger and to inspire confidence.

We know that we will be judged not on what we say but on what we do, but to get it right we need the full and unequivocal support from individuals across Northern Ireland, and where we get this support I have no doubt that we can deliver the service you quite rightly expect and require.

Personal, impartial and accountable policing

2010-06-03T17:07:00.006+01:00

‘Personal, impartial and accountable police officers and staff, present and influential in the heart of all communities, in the right numbers to make a difference’.

As we prepare to police the parades over the next few months, we have again asked for the full support of the elected representatives and influential people across our communities.

Solving difficult issues in consultation and with the help, co-operation and assistance of the community is the very essence of Policing with the Community.

Whilst Neighbourhood Policing Teams have a critical role to play, policing with the community is in fact a core function of every police officer regardless of their individual role.

Neighbourhood Policing is not about how we police but where we police with a specific purpose of delivering the right people, at the right places and in the right numbers, in order to create safer, confident and peaceful neighbourhoods.

It is about the police listening to, understanding the issues that matter most, and working together with the community and other statutory and voluntary bodies to tackle them. Policing is not for the police alone, and often we are only part of the solution longer term.

We have over the past few months been developing and consulting with a number of critical friends, on a set of Policing with the Community Commitments. These will be a series of commitments aimed at clearly outlining to the public the minimum standard of police response which can be expected. Further consultation will be required, but once these are finalised they will be published.

In the meantime we will continue to strive to deliver personal, professional and protective Policing with the Community by engaging with and listening to local communities and by providing them with access to named local police, influence over policing priorities and delivering partnership interventions.

Despite all the challenges and pressures we routinely face, this is an area of policing which is not negotiable.

Working to make South Armagh Safer

2010-05-05T15:42:00.002+01:00

I very much welcome the comments of those of you who have taken the time to view my various blogs over the past few months.

Regular bloggers will know that a blog is more like a journal as opposed to a question and answer forum. However, occasionally a comment or view prompts me to address an issue which I feel would be of interest to many of you.

Much has been said, over the past few weeks, about the Police service and response delivered in South Armagh. We have some very experienced police officers working in this area. Despite the very challenging environment, and the unique policing style required, they are more than capable of delivering a police service. To suggest that somehow we are failing to deliver a service to this community is simply untrue.

The basic human right to life applies equally to Police officers as it does to members of the community and when incidents such as the Newtownhamilton bomb occur we have obligations to protect both, particularly in the knowledge that the main target of the threat is police officers.

The quality of life issues important to those who live in South Armagh are much the same as most other areas. Anti social behaviour, youths causing annoyance, criminal damage, fear of crime, vehicle theft are all being tackled on a 24/7 daily basis by dedicated police patrols.

Tangible results, with the support and in partnership with the community, are being achieved. In the past three months, in the South Armagh sector, which includes the Newtownhamilton area, 36 people have been arrested for motoring offences, 40 arrested for other types of crime, 33 uninsured vehicles removed and 28 planned search operations resulting in the seizure of vehicles, firearms, cash and stolen property.

Working in partnership with statutory groups and the local community, three Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been established and police officers are actively engaging with young people in schools.

Despite the challenges we continually face we are absolutely determined to deliver the very best Police Service we possibly can to the South Armagh area. We patrol this area the way we do, not because we want to but because we have to.

With the active support, co-operation and information from the people of South Armagh I firmly believe that much much more can be achieved.

Determined to deliver

2010-04-27T14:54:00.001+01:00

I struggle to understand the thinking of those who plant a bomb in a quiet country town, late at night, outside a heavily fortified police station, knowing that the most likely outcome is physical danger, or at the very least, damage to homes and serious inconvenience to the very people from whom they would seek to draw support.

As I listened, on the news, to the stories of those who had been forced to leave their homes because of the reckless actions of these terrorists and wait to see what damage had been caused, my heart went out to them.

Much has been said about the delay in the police arrival and we constantly examine our response to incidents of this type. We know that the terrorists primary aim is to kill police officers and similar incidents have been used to lure police officers to an area for exactly this purpose.

In the face of this threat we have put in place steps to ensure that your Police Service, over the next few weeks and months, is even more visible. Expect to see more police patrols, expect to be stopped at check points and expect the pressure to mount on those whose intent is to bring misery and destruction to our streets – what we ask in return is that you give us your full co-operation, understanding and support.

Our determination is to deliver a personal, professional and protective police service to absolutely everyone, and that includes areas like Newtownhamilton, and I can reassure you that our resolve to do so is absolutely steadfast.

Devolution of Policing and Justice

2010-04-12T11:56:00.005+01:00

I've just returned from a few days off over Easter with my family - a chance to recharge the batteries.

Today is an important, historic, and I believe defining, day for Policing and Justice in Northern Ireland. By close of play today we should have a new Minister for Policing and Justice, the first in 38 years. Sadly whilst some will celebrate this day, with their support for the transfer of powers, others have marked this day in the only way they know how, by bringing destruction and terror to the streets of Holywood - I applaud the work of my colleagues, the other emergency services and the local community who worked so quickly to avert disaster.

Thankfully the older gentleman caught up in the explosion was not seriously injured, not that those responsible appear to care, but many of the residents in the immediate vicinity, old and young, will have now the job of picking up the pieces and putting their homes back together and my thoughts are with them as they begin this task.

The people of Holywood, and Northern Ireland, deserve better than this. These people will not succeed and as we enter a new dawn for Policing and Justice the resilience and determination of your Police Service is as strong as ever.

2010 - 2013 Policing Plan launched

2010-04-01T10:16:00.011+01:00

I am just leaving for the monthly public meeting of the Policing Board.

Earlier this week the Policing Board launched the 2010 - 2013 Policing Plan. This plan sets out some very challenging and ambitious objectives, performance indicators and targets for your Police Service in the areas of Service Excellence, Tacking Serious Harm and Personal Policing. We are absolutely committed to achieving them. A copy of the plan is available from the Northern Ireland Policing Board's website.

The statutory responsibility of the Policing Board is to secure an effective and efficient Police Service and to hold the Chief Constable to account for performance. This relationship is a professional and productive one but not, nor should it be, always a comfortable one.

The monthly meeting is an opportunity to share publicly the many successes of the Service in the recent weeks. Successes such as:

Lowest monthly crime figures in December, January and February for over 12 years
Overall clearance rate up by 2.5%
Domestic Burglary down by 2.3%
Lowest overall crime per 1,000 people compared to our most similar forces in GB
A homicide clearance rate, this year, of 95%
20 persons currently charged or reported for Terrorist related offences
Numerous successes in the fight against organised crime such as Cash in Transit robberies, drugs, people trafficking, extortion and money laundering
Considerable forfeitures of money, vehicles and property under the Proceeds of Crime Act
Small by comparison but very significant the recovery of a stolen bicycle in Holywood through the social media relationship between the police and the local Community through Facebook - a first for PSNI and NI.

We are never complacent and many of our successes are reliant on the consistent support and co-operation of you, the public, and with this continued support this, much more can be achieved to ensure that, in partnership with you, we do everything possible to keep you and your community safer.

Whilst we would always prefer that you report crime or suspicious activity to us direct, if you prefer to make a confidential report on anything - no matter how insignificant it may seem -you can always call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Stepping up to the mark

2010-03-24T15:02:00.007Z

I am appalled by the spate of hoax security alerts across Londonderry and Belfast last Friday and I have absolutely no idea what the people responsible hope to achieve by disrupting the lives of ordinary decent people heading home or going about their daily business, at the end of a busy week. We don't know, from a phone call, whether these devices are hoax or real and we must take every incident seriously. We will always try to minimise disruption but road closures and delays, although annoying, are necessary to prevent injury or loss of life. Currently we are examining each incident in detail and where we can identify those responsible we will take appropriate action.

As I visited colleagues in Londonderry, Omagh, Armagh and Lurgan in recent days it is very clear that resolve of officers and staff to provide a personal, protective and professional Police Service, in some very challenging environments, is even more determined. This is despite very significant attempts to place police officers and members of the public in danger, as recently as last Saturday night in South Armagh.

The accounts of how local police officers are reaching out in very challenging circumstances to work together with local communities and partner agencies to make everyone safer and to address those issues which really matter is very encouraging. This relationship can only be further strengthened by the recent cross community vote for the devolvement of Policing and Justice.

My promise to you is that we will continue to work to deliver on the commitments we make to you and what I ask, in return, is that you continue to give your Police Service the community support that it needs and together we can deliver the future which we all want and not return to the past which has nothing to offer.

We will not go back to the past

2010-02-24T11:58:00.006Z

I must admit, I have been neglectful of my blog lately. Time seems to march on quickly and we all have competing pressures in our busy lives.

But I cannot let this moment pass without paying tribute to the bravery of Constable Peadar Heffron, who, through his own persistence and strong will and with the help of his family and medical staff continues to make progress after the horrific attempt on his life by terrorists.

This attack, the explosion this week at Newry Courthouse and the attempted mortar bomb attack at Keady police station, will make us all the more determined to protect our community from those who have nothing to offer. I appeal to you all to support your Police Service with your assistance and patience as we work tirelessly to root out those whose intent is clearly only one of misery and destruction.

Again the recent PSNI recruitment campaign shows that people will not be deterred in seeking an opportunity to play a part in providing a Police Service to the people of Northern Ireland. 5,232 individuals, in the first two weeks, requested application forms, those figures speak for themselves.

Community confidence and support in policing continues to grow and as we move forward in the coming days and weeks towards the transfer of Policing and Justice powers, the real local accountability this will bring will further support the delivery of community policing across Northern Ireland.

Delivery of policing will continue

2010-01-12T09:20:00.008Z

Last Friday morning, one of our officers almost lost his life. In the heart of a community in Antrim, terrorists callously placed a device under his car. He is now in a critical condition. Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this time.

And we are left with the stark reality that in our communities, there are people who wish to murder our police officers. Police officers, who daily, serve those communities, work to protect people, keep them safe. I want our officers to stay safe; they want to be out on the frontline, delivering the job they joined to do.

This is not how I imagined my first blog of 2010 would read. It is difficult to accept that we still have to face such horrendous incidents. But I believe as a police service we are capable of dealing with them. Talking to many of my colleagues over the weekend, they have made it clear to me that they will not be deterred from delivery a policing service, from working with communities to protect them from harm. Indeed incidents like this only serve to strengthen our resolve to keep delivering that service.

What I am asking for now is for communities to help protect the lives of the very people who work hard to make Northern Ireland safer. Our officers and staff live in those communities, they are very much part of them. Any information, even the smallest piece may help us investigate this very serious incident and work to prevent something like it happening again.

Have a safe and peaceful Christmas

2009-12-17T16:33:00.002Z

Christmas is just around the corner. It is a time of anticipation, of joy and for children, excitement.

For criminals, it can present an opportunity. We are working to ensure that these opportunities are minimised. It is our aim to ensure we all have a safe and peaceful Christmas.

We are playing our part, through our seasonal policing plan - Operation Seasons Greetings, through planned, targeted operations aimed at disrupting criminal activity, through highly visible policing patrols, working to increase confidence and through focused, targeted roads policing operations.

Crime prevention officers are available in every area in Northern Ireland to advise on protecting your property, our Get Home Safe partnership and night time economy operations work to ensure everyone can enjoy the nightlife our towns and cities have to offer.

We will have an increased policing presence on our roads across the Christmas period. All of this work is designed to help keep us all safe. We are asking for your help. Simply, we need people to look after themselves, their property and each other. Small steps can make a big difference.

Remember to close, lock and check all doors and windows in your home, keep your gifts and valuables from view both in your home and your car, if you are going out to socialise, plan how you will get home. By remembering these simple steps you can help ensure we don't make Christmas a gift for the criminal.

And stay safe on the roads. Leave plenty of time for your journey, pay attention to the road conditions and never ever drink and drive. It is better to be a little late arriving at your destination than not to arrive at all.

I want all of us to have a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog over the past weeks.

Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year.

A serious terrorist attack was thwarted

2009-11-24T10:20:00.007Z

"A serious terrorist attack was thwarted." Those are the words of the Chief Constable during a press conference on Sunday past. He was talking about the policing operation in Garrison, County Fermanagh on Saturday night.

This is my opportunity to publicly praise the professionalism and restraint of my colleagues who were involved in this operation. A gunman fired at officers. Lives could have been lost.

We have to thank the community for their support and patience as the policing operation completes. It is that support from Garrison, and the wider Fermanagh area that sends a clear message to those intent on this terrorist criminality. They do not want these people in their midst. The actions of the community in Fermanagh has demonstrated that.

Equally, we have to be thankful that the device placed outside the Northern Ireland Policing Board in Belfast was made safe, that it did not fully detonate, as was the intent of the criminal terrorists who placed it there. Those who carried out this attack do not care about others, they put the lives of ordinary people in the Clarendon area at risk.

We have the resources to police a terrorist threat. And we will do so. but equally importantly to the majority of people living here, we will continue to deliver a normal day to day policing service, tackling the issues that matter to you and your neighbourhoods. Christmas is almost upon us, I want to work to ensure that all the people living here have a peaceful and happy one. And you can be assured that we will be working hard to do this.

Over the past days, policing has again made the headlines

2009-11-12T11:38:00.005Z

The debate around the retention of the Full Time Reserve (FTR) is a political one. The final decision on the future of the FTR was made some time ago. The recent announcement by our Chief Constable to press ahead with this timescale is not new but one that has been carefully and extensively considered and planned for some time.

If we are to deliver a successful policing service we must retain operational independence and be able to make decisions about how we work to keep people safe across Northern Ireland. We, as police officers and police staff, have a job to do. And we are determined to do what is right regardless of how difficult that might be.

I believe we are testing our collective resolve to make changes in how we deliver our policing service. We live in the real world, we must live within our budget, we are living within a recession and we are policing a unique security situation.

But we also have a great many officers still doing jobs that do not require a warranted officer to perform. These men and women signed up to be police officers, to work with communities, to reduce harm and deliver a personal policing service. In the coming months, the senior command team in the Police Service will be redeploying many officers back to frontline work, in the areas where they needed most. Some bureaucracy is necessary, but much is not. We must cut down on red tape, on the bureaucracy, much of which comes from outside the organisation and affects the time our people spend out in communities.

In December, at the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, our Chief Constable will publicly present his plans for policing here, the strategic priorities by which we will deliver a personal, professional and protective policing service to the people of Northern Ireland. This approach is a step away from what we have done before. I believe it is the right way to go, we will set out our stall and let the people of Northern Ireland hold us to account.

This is a tough call and I am genuinely mindful that people, internally and externally are grappling with major issues. But it is work we must do - we simply cannot afford not to. The majority of our officers must be in operational roles whether that means out on the streets, in neighbourhoods or in investigating serious crime which can also blight communities, but all of us directly contributing towards making Northern Ireland safer. I firmly believe that we can deliver that.

Armistice Day

2009-11-11T14:51:00.003Z

I have just returned from the Service of Remembrance held in the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Garden.

It is right and proper on this day we remember all those in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland who gave their lives in service for the entire community.

They were ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations. On this day we remember with thanksgiving the courage and self sacrifice of those who have given their lives. Particularly we remember the colleagues we have lost since our last remembrance service, Constable Stephen Carroll, murdered by terrorists and Constables James Magee, Kevin Gorman, Declan Greene and Kenny Irvine, tragically killed in a road traffic collision.

Their legacy should be a continued determination by us all to meet the challenges that lie before us and embrace a future of peace.

On this day, we remember them.

Amidst all the debate on devolution, policing in Northern Ireland goes on

2009-11-03T16:54:00.007Z

Day and daily we work to deliver a personal and professional policing service, often in the most difficult and demanding circumstances.

Recently, terrorists attempted to take the life of another police officer, trying to bring us back to the dark days of the past. And yet since then, across Northern Ireland, thousands of officers and staff have continued to show their unreserved commitment to deliver a policing service to you.

Our commitment has been matched by support from the vast majority of people across Northern Ireland, who continue to report crimes and incidents to us and support local policing initiatives.

As an officer myself, I understand this commitment but the strength, resilience and professionalism of my officers and staff combined with the support of the wider community never fail to make me proud of what I do.

And while we work to combat the terrorist threat, day to day policing goes on.

Building work on the new Musgrave Street police station in Belfast is nearing completion. When finished, it will become the district headquarters for South and East Belfast, providing enhanced neighbourhood, community safety and CID accommodation for the city centre. It will also incorporate a large custody suite which will serve the centre of Belfast.

In Omagh, our new state of the art station is now fully operational. It is the Headquarters for F District, encompassing Dungannon and South Tyrone, Omagh, Cookstown and Fermanagh. In addition to the response teams and other units which are found in most police stations, the Omagh station also houses the centralised functions including Road Policing, Public Protection Unit, Call Handling and the Video Identity (Viper) Suite.

These stations will provide modern, well equipped bases for officers to deliver a local community service. Our modernisation plans continue, we must make our buildings fit to support a 21st century service.

And that leads me to the issue of station closures. Some of our stations are old, not in the right place, inaccessible and no longer used by the public. It would be wrong of us to spend public money, your money, keeping these stations functioning when they no longer provide a service to the officers or to the public.

I know how the issue of station closures has affected some communities, particularly in rural areas.

But I passionately believe that buildings do not keep a community safe. People do, officers, staff and the partners and stakeholders working with us.

They are the people that work to keep our streets and our neighbourhoods safe from harm and I would rather they'd be out there with you. This is what we are working towards, bringing policing to the community rather than waiting for the community to come to us.

As the world and the debates move on around us, we still remain focused on our service to the public. It is what we do.

Welcome to my blog

2009-10-15T09:22:00.005+01:00

This is a new form of communication for me but as I embark on it I am hopeful that it can become a place where I can share my thoughts on policing issues (and other subjects) here in Northern Ireland. Please give me time. Everyone has to start somewhere. So where to start? Well, September saw the beginning of a new stage for the Police Service with the arrival of our new Chief Constable, Matt Baggott. I for one was delighted to welcome him to his office, ending a short but nevertheless hectic period for me as Acting Chief Constable.

And while in that role, I continued to listen as policing was discussed and debated in many forums. I understand the fundamental human need to feel safe. I am a wife and mother, a homeowner, I am part of my local community. I understand that people want to feel safe at home, at work, in their local communities and neighbourhoods. That is what I want - for my children, my family, my friends, my community and for myself.

I recognise that policing has a central role to play in increasing people's safety and security. That is what we are working to deliver. The next question is where do we go from here?

Numerous challenges face us. I recognise that a central part of our service is a visible and personal policing presence in neighbourhoods but I would challenge what that presence should look like. I believe that it is about more than officers on the beat, about more than being seen. I believe that we owe it to our communities to ensure that our officers are tasked to deal with the issues affecting their areas. It is about listening, understanding, and importantly delivering. Being purely visible isn't enough. We need to ensure we are busy doing the right things and that we are organised to deliver the best possible service we can.

I believe we can do that. We are up for delivering this, our new Chief Constable is committed to delivering this. People need to tell us what they want, but they also need to help us prioritise, let us know what is important to them and work in partnership with us to address it. But that is another story for another day. There is much to debate and much to do. I look forward to it.

Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie