'Delivering Women, Peace and Security'

I had the pleasure of speaking at a conference hosted by Hanna's House at Croke Park, Dublin yesterday afternoon.  Hanna's House is a home for an active feminist community in Ireland, working for a non-violent, just society that embraces diversity. 

This was an all Ireland conference on 'Delivering Women, Peace and Security' and considering how much progress has been made in implementing the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)1325.

UNSCR1325 was a landmark international legal framework that addresses not only the inordinate impact of war on women, but also the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace. 

I had been invited to speak about 'Gender Perspectives in Policing and Security'. President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins opened the conference. 

In addition to providing an update on progress towards addressing the under representation of women within the Police Service of Northern Ireland I also used the opportunity to pay tribute to influential women who had played a significant role in the peace process and conflict resolution.

I thought particularly of the words of Yvonne Black, who in spite of her personal tragedy said “grief in other homes will achieve nothing.” Even in the midst of such bereavement this courageous woman wanted to appeal for no retaliation. The thoughts and prayers of all right thinking people will be with Mrs Black and her family as they prepare to lay David to rest. 

I can think of so many other women of courage, some very public and some not so, who have played such an important role in peace making and peace keeping.

I encourage them, and everyone else, despite the events of last week to relentlessly work to achieve that goal. 

Deputy Gillespie pictured along with Michael D Higgins and other guest speakers at the conference.

World Police and Fire Games 2013

As I pen this blog it is only 278 days 9 hours and 45 minutes to the start of the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) 2013 in Belfast.

This is a mammoth task and I have the privilege, as Chair of the WPFG Board, to see first hand just how much progress has been made in ensuring that we deliver the best and friendliest games ever. 

I want to pay tribute to all my colleagues in the WPFG Company and of course  the WPFG Board  members representing other agencies for the fantastic work and achievements to date. We have heard so much recently about the value placed on the volunteers at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. 

Our games will present a similar opportunity to volunteer and experience what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity, to be a part of such a fantastic event.  Volunteer registration has been open for a number of weeks but will close at the end of this month on 31st October.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved. Team 2013 will be made up of over 3,500 individuals. By applying to volunteer, you could meet some of the thousands of international competitors, visitors, spectators, media and VIPs at the Games. You will help make it a truly memorable experience for everyone involved, so this is your chance to welcome the world, represent your community and have fun!   You will also receive really useful training which could lead to other opportunities in the future. 

Up until the closing date, the WPFG staff team will be delivering the "VolunTour" - series of roadshow information points which will travel across Northern Ireland, engaging with the community to highlight the many opportunities available at the Games. 

Already they have visited shopping centres, libraries, college fresher fairs, a range of high profile public events, business and sporting conferences.  If you're aged 16 or over, interested in and enthusiastic about helping us deliver the friendliest games ever, and can spare three days of your time between 1-10 August 2013, then look for further information on where you can meet up with the team members at http://www.2013wpfg.com/volunteers.aspx 

You can also find out how more about WPFG and how to volunteer on the website, www.2013wpfg.com, by emailing 2103wpfg@volunteernow.co.uk or by telephoning 028 9023 2020.

Don't miss out of this fantastic opportunity - register now and get involved.   

Today (18 October) is Anti Slavery Day

Anti-Slavery Day was created by Act of Parliament in 2010, with the intention of raising awareness of modern slavery and to inspire people to eliminate it. 

Today provides an opportunity to draw attention to the subject and remind government, local authorities, public institutions, private and public companies and individuals of the need to address the scale and scope of human trafficking.

It is widely acknowledged that somewhere between two and four million people are trafficked across international borders or within their own countries on an annual basis. 

It is shocking to think that in 2012, there are more people across the world being held in slavery and servitude, than there were at the time of the abolition of slavery over 200 years ago.  

This type of crime is a major source of funding for organised criminals, and terrorism, within  Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and internationally. 

In recent years your Police Service has recognised the growing issue of human trafficking in Northern Ireland. We have dedicated resources from within Crime Operations Department to proactively identify and target the individuals and organised crime gangs involved and raise awareness in the community of the issue. We have also worked with partner agencies to ensure  appropriate support mechanisms are in place to help those victims, men, women and children, when rescued. 

In the past few years over 80 potential victims of human trafficking have been rescued and provided with support in Northern Ireland. The most prevalent form of exploitation encountered was for sexual purposes, predominately in off-street prostitution - something which has been described as "rape for profit". 

Other forms of exploitation encountered include labour exploitation in various industries and indeed domestic servitude. Individuals have also been subjected to exploitation within criminal enterprises, for example cannabis cultivation,  highlighting the importance of distinguishing between those engaged willingly in criminal offending and those who are the subject of exploitation.  

The trafficking of people is a gross violation of a human rights and should not be tolerated within any society, far less within 21st Century Northern Ireland. The reality is that it could be happening in your local area, in your city, town or village or even right next door to where you live. 

We will continue to do everything within our powers to make Northern Ireland a hostile place for Human Traffickers, but we need your help.

If you see anything suspicious; people regularly coming and going from premises with no apparent legitimate reason, then please tell us.  Speak to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, call us at the PSNI Organised Crime Branch on 0845 600 8000 or tell us anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 11.  

Find out more about this issue at www.blueblindfold.co.uk or www.ukhtc.org - your help could rescue a vulnerable victim from the horror of modern day slavery.    

Attendance at Public Accounts Committee

This afternoon the Chief Constable and I are attending the Public Accounts Committee along with representatives from the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

The purpose of our appearance is to answer questions in relation to the recently published Northern Ireland Audit Office report 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland: Use of Agency Staff'.

At the outset of my blog it is critical that I acknowledge the importance of this report and indicate that the PSNI has accepted all the recommendations many of which reflect our current practices.  We welcome such independent scrutiny and there are lessons to be learnt from the report and its findings.  Over the past 10 years the PSNI has faced unprecedented change, 5,453 police officers and 2,323 police staff left the organisation.  No other police service in the United Kingdom, and possibly in the world, has ever experienced anything quite like this.

Against the background of such significant change, there are areas where with the benefit of hindsight we could have applied more scrutiny and grip.  The Chief Constable has accepted how some may see the recruitment of agency staff as contrary to the spirit of Patten.  Of course Patten did not envisage a 'new beginning to policing' in the face of such a protracted and severe terrorist threat,  and without the use of some agency staff police officers who are critical to preventing serious harm and terrorism would be confined to non operational roles.  The Northern Ireland Audit Office Report accepts the business need for the use of temporary staff, some of whom by necessity would be ex-police officers. 

The ultimate prize of change has been the increase in community confidence helped by the achievement of 30% Catholic police representation, and the devolvement of Policing and Justice powers - the very reason why locally elected representatives can sit today and question us on these matters. That confidence is delicate, and needs to be treated with respect in everything that we do. 

Going forward, we will work on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report's recommendations and we will continue to build on the governance surrounding the appointment of temporary workers so that the community confidence the PSNI has worked so hard to achieve is maintained and enhanced.

Staying safe at College or University

Most students will, by now, be well settled into the new term at their college or university.

As well as focusing on your studies it is important that you think about how you can keep yourself safe and protect your personal property. There are lots of very simple steps which you can take to make sure that you do not become the victim of crime or come under the attention of the police.

When out and about, know how you are getting there and home, if going out, particularly during the hours of darkness don't go out alone or at least tell someone where you are going and when you might be back. Keep your bag and other items of value close to you and if possible out of sight and don't carry around large amounts of cash. If you are out socialising stay together, do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol and do not leave drinks sitting about unattended.

If you are staying away from home in rented or student accommodation make sure that you lock your house or room. If you are on the ground floor don't leave items of value, such as cash, laptops, phones or tablets, within sight of windows. Thieves will target student accommodation for small items which are easy to conceal, particularly at those times when they know they are likely to be away, for example, weekends. If you can take out property insurance and if you are concerned about the physical security of your property or room talk to your landlord or warden.

It is also important to think about the consequences of inappropriate, illegal or anti social behaviour. Thankfully the number of students who come to the notice of police in these circumstances every year is small, but the consequences for these few can be very significant. There is the potential for a criminal record, expulsion from college or university and long term impact on future employment and travel.

The Police Service do not want you to become the victim of crime or to come under police attention and we will be working with your university and college to do everything possible to prevent this.

Advice is available from the police directly or through your college and you can also find out more by visiting the Student Advice section of our website at www.psni.police.uk/crime-prevention.htm

Condolences to Greater Manchester Police colleagues

It was with a deep sense of sadness that I heard about the deaths of two colleagues from Greater Manchester Police yesterday.

Whilst details are still emerging, Constables Fiona Bone (32) and Nicola Hughes (23) had been called to attend what was reported to be a domestic burglary.

Tragically, it appears they had been callously lured to their deaths. Sadly this scenario is all too familiar having lost so many of my colleagues in the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC and Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Policing is an extended family and when colleagues are killed, particularly in the line of duty, that sense of loss is felt right across the entire policing community locally, nationally and internationally.

I know Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy personally and as I watched him last night speaking to the media, it was very clear that Greater Manchester Police had lost two excellent colleagues and the community in which they served had lost two fine young police officers.

Yesterday morning they had started their shift and were out there doing the job they loved; helping, supporting and reassuring the people of Hattersley.

Our Chief Constable has written to Sir Peter offering the sincere condolences of the officers and staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and any help and support whatsoever that we may be able to offer at this time.

Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the families of Fiona and Nicola, and our colleagues in Greater Manchester, at this very sad and difficult time.

Policing with the Community endorsed

This week I have been involved in judging, along with the Policing Board Chairman and senior colleagues including a representative from the Police Federation, applications for the Police Officer of the Year Award 2012.  

There are eight categories in all, two of these where members of the public can nominate an individual officer or a Neighbourhood Policing Team for a Policing with the Community Award.   

It is really encouraging to see the number of officers who were nominated by members of the public or by partner organisations, and to read about the breadth and depth of work that is going on across the districts and departments.  This work was also publicly endorsed at the start of the week by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate's report into Policing with the Community.  So selecting the winners was an extremely difficult decision to make.  

The past few days have shown the wide range of challenges faced by police officers, often involving exposure to grave personal risk. Despite these challenges, police officers and staff are pushing the boundaries every single day to work closely with communities to deliver personal professional and protective policing.  Today police officers, supported by police staff, will be out and about as usual all over Belfast and across Northern Ireland, delivering a policing service in partnership with the community.  

The very many initiatives highlighted in the applications also show how communities have embraced policing, working together to make very significant differences in tackling crime and addressing ‘quality of life' issues which can have a great impact on local areas.    

We need to build on the success of these initiatives in partnership with Executive Departments and local agencies, to ensure that those areas of greatest need receive the support they require to make a real long term difference.  

I want to thank those members of the public and representatives from such a variety of partner agencies who took the time to complete and submit applications.   We welcome feedback, both positive and negative, on how we provide a policing service to everyone.   

As a member of the Judging Panel, it was a pleasure to read so many encouraging comments.  I look forward to the announcement in the next few weeks of who will be the 2012 Police Officer and Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year.