Public disciplinary hearings would expose officers to ‘unacceptable risks”, says PFNI

Liam Kelly was responding to a review carried out by the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) following a series of concerns raised regarding the handling of some misconduct investigations and standards of behaviour within the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), including allegations of misogyny and misuse of social media by officers (see https://www.policeprofessional.com/news/review-makes-recommendations-to-improve-professional-standards-in-psni/).

The NIPB review made six recommendations to the operation of the current police misconduct system and also said it would be useful to “explore the possibility” of holding police officers hearings in public.

“Police officer hearings in the rest of the UK are heard in public. This can be beneficial in sending out a clear message to other officers and also to the public on what behaviour is expected of officers and also the sanctions imposed,” said the NIPB.

“It has also contributed to a reduction in the number of hearings.

“While there is no doubt as to the benefits of hearings in public, the Board is aware of the difficulties this would pose in Northern Ireland.

“However, it may be useful to explore the possibility of replicating the England and Wales model in Northern Ireland.”

While the review’s recommendations deserve “serious consideration”, Mr Kelly says replicating what applies in England and Wales is “simply a non-starter”.

“Justice delayed is nothing new to officers who face disciplinary hearings. In some cases, delays run into years and that is wholly unacceptable as careers are left on hold and reputations are tarnished,” he said.

“There are some meaningful and sensible steps that could be taken to expedite hearings.

“However, the recommendation to ape what happens in England and Wales simply isn’t a runner. In fact, expecting officers to appear in public at their own disciplinary hearings would expose them to completely unacceptable risks.

“Only recently, we witnessed an attack on two young officers in Strabane and a further cowardly attempt on colleagues in Derry-Londonderry. Is the Policing Board really serious about holding hearings in public or just flying a kite?

“There’s no mention of any safeguards to protect officer identities. What the NIPB must realise is that what applies in England and Wales is simply a non-starter anytime soon.

“As we approach 25 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, we are still a long way off being a peaceful society where police officers are not being targeted and intimidated by terrorists.

“As far as other recommendations go, the PFNI is willing to engage with the Policing Board and the PSNI to devise and implement steps that are progressive and are not fanciful.”