Chief constable promises to ‘listen to unionist community concerns’ following policing review

Simon Byrne was responding to what he called “unhelpful rhetoric” in the political and media reaction to the findings of the South Armagh Policing Review.

The 172-page review, published on Tuesday (August 31), contained 50 recommendations, including closing down the heavily fortified Crossmaglen police station, closer working relations with An Garda Síochána and possible “hot pursuit between policing jurisdictions” and exploring the relocation of memorials to fallen officers.

Addressing a Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) accountability meeting on Thursday (September 2), Mr Byrne said: “The vast majority of the review’s 50 recommendations are about ensuring better visibility, better community policing for the whole community and improved operational effectiveness and better working practices and support for local officers. A small number of recommendations, are, however, sensitive and have wider organisational significance. Such issues inevitably have attracted commentary. There is no doubt that issues about respectfully treating memorials in particular have been difficult and we were at pains to recognise that from the outset, including at the community event on Tuesday.

“What is absolutely not true, is that all recommendations are a ‘fait accompli’. We are at the starting gates and the review report is an original document which will inform the development of the policing approach going forward.”

Mr Byrne said that following the publication of the South Armagh Policing Review he had held “frank and constructive meetings” with a range of political representatives.

“At a subsequent meeting this afternoon (September 2), Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and a number of DUP representatives told me of deeply held community confidence concerns and their disillusionment arising from a series of policing issues in recent times.

“I accept the importance of ensuring that there is widespread confidence in policing across all parts of our community. I reaffirmed my commitment to listening to unionist community concerns and rebuilding confidence.

“We will continue with genuine engagement to ensure that local concerns and feedback are captured.”

Mr Byrne added: “With regard to the South Armagh Review, it is clear from the many conversations that I have had that there is agreement on many of the operational policing improvements set out in the review.

“I have made it clear to the NPB, in media interviews and in the meetings I have held today that no memorials will be removed from, or moved within, our buildings (Recommendation 6).

“At no time was it envisaged that there would be joint patrolling by the PSNI and An Garda Síochána. The issue of hot pursuit will not be taken forward without the agreement of both governments. This recommendation will not, therefore, be progressed by the PSNI.

“We will continue to seek to maximise the cooperation between both organisations in tackling crime and road safety in the border area. All cooperation will respect and adhere to the jurisdictional requirements on both sides of the border (Recommendations 45/46).

“No action will be taken with regard to the use of Irish language unless it is in line with the approach being taken across the Northern Ireland public sector more widely (Recommendation 38).”

Mr Byrne said “further clarity” will be provided in a time-scaled implementation plan to the NIPB in the coming weeks.

Expanding on the recommendations regarding cross-border policing, Mr Byrne told the NIPB: “Let me be categorically clear on this issue – wording within the report has been misunderstood. Neither the review, nor the PSNI at any time has considered or envisaged ‘All-Ireland policing structures’ and ‘joint’ day-to-day patrolling.

“Recommendations 45-49 relate to cross border arrangements and seek to ensure better and more effective real-time communication and collaboration with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána. What was envisaged was modelled on established local structures which work well under the already existing cross-border Joint Agency Task Force arrangements in tackling serious and organised crime. The proposal is for this model to be adapted to everyday crime prevention, such as burglary, theft, drugs supply and also road safety issues, which impact on the lives of people on both sides of the border area.

“This is a practical approach to effectively tackling crime, bringing offenders to justice and maximising community safety. Accountability structures infer nothing more than better collaboration and consistency at a local level on shared and mutually agreed operational priorities.

“The idea of ‘hot pursuit’ is a matter that was proposed in limited and carefully defined circumstances only and in any case would require governmental and political support to bring to fruition.”

In respect of memorials, Mr Byrne said that with station closure and redevelopment comes an inevitable requirement to consider how best to manage the transition of memorials and honour our fallen colleagues.

He told the NIPB: “When this time comes this will be handled properly and with sensitivity, with full consultation with the families of those who were murdered delivering policing in South Armagh. Far from disrespecting or forgetting our 30 colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice, I think we can do better than what we currently have in place. Over the horizon, plans for a new police museum may reflect this.”

Regarding the Irish language, Mr Byrne clarified that recommendation 38 suggests that “opportunities are explored” to promote the use of minority languages in general.

“Any agreed progress requires a legislative framework in lockstep with the wider public sector. Until then this proposal remains dormant,” he added.

Mr Byrne said implementation of the review’s findings will take a “structured, measured and consultative approach”, acknowledging the need to “flex recommendations” as the practical outworkings are adapted to a ‘real world’ setting over the next number of years.