Report finds improvement in PSNI - despite less funding
It follows today publication by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) continues to do a good job protecting the public and reducing crime despite political gridlock in the Northern Irish Assembly.
The absence of an elected Assembly meant that the PSNI could only access 95 percent of the previous year’s budget, which limited its opportunities to plan future investments. However, two inspections showed that the PSNI is coping well and understands well how it will meet future demand while also making cost efficiencies.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said:
“We are encouraged to find that the PSNI continues to make good use of its resources in spite of continuing uncertainty around the political situation in Northern Ireland. Since our last inspection, it has developed a deeper understanding of its workforce’s skills and capability and is in a strong position to meet the demands of newer threats such as human trafficking and cyber-crime.
“That said, we did identify some areas for improvement. We found that uniformed officers often lacked the necessary support and supervision to effectively investigate volume crimes like burglary. We also found very little evidence that the PSNI systematically pursued people it issued with arrest warrants for minor crimes.
“While we recognise that the Police Service of Northern Ireland is a high-performing force, it should investigate all crimes to a consistently high standard, regardless of the seriousness of the offence.”
The report also sets out that the PSNI:
• has been determined to be ‘good’ in how effectively and efficiently it keeps people safe and reduces crime;
• has a comprehensive understanding of local organised crime and works well with partners to dismantle it;
• could do more to ensure frontline officers apply problem-solving techniques consistently; and
• should continue its efforts to reduce the backlog of digital devices waiting to be analysed.
The Department of Justice commissioned HMICFRS to carry out these inspections as part of annual assessments of police performance. HMICFRS will carry out further inspections in 2018/19.
The PSNI welcome the report published today.
Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris said: “We welcome the overall ‘good’ grading awarded by HMICFRS in the ‘Police effectiveness’ inspection. The inspection has shown that we have improved our response to preventing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour.
"In addition, it also recognises that we have a comprehensive understanding of the threats posed to our communities from serious and organised crime, and terrorism. It also acknowledges that we have effective processes in place to investigate, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups, making good use of preventative orders to manage the most serious and dangerous offenders within our communities.
"This is an improvement on last years’ overall assessment which was ‘requires improvement’. We have continued to deliver effective policing in a very challenging financial situation and we will be considering the report in detail to identify any further areas where we can continue to improve on the work already undertaken.
“The HMICFRS ‘Police efficiency’ report recognised that we use resources efficiently to Keep People Safe; have a good understanding of current demand; and have a strong track record of achieving required savings.
"The report also highlighted the restrictions placed on us as a result of current funding arrangements. Since 2011 the PSNI Budget has been reduced by some £271m, despite this significant challenge, independent surveys show confidence in policing is at over 90%.
“HMICFRS has highlighted the importance of partnership working in supporting the safety and wellbeing of our communities. I am particularly pleased that the inspectors recognised a number of examples of local neighbourhood officers working with a range of partners across Northern Ireland to Keep People Safe and to resolve crime and anti-social behaviour problems within communities and we will continue to use those identified good examples to reinforce engagement across all communities."
The PSNI also recognises that effective partnership working in Northern Ireland is key and requires the strategic direction that was laid out in the Draft Programme for Government. This is all the more important given the increasing financial pressures across the public sector.