5 Conclusions
75. The Northern Ireland Policing Board was set
up to secure the efficiency and effectiveness of the PSNI, and
to hold the Chief Constable and the police accountable for the
performance of their functions. Our inquiry has shown that, despite
the difficult political environment in which the Board operates,
it has made solid progress in establishing its role and has developed
sound mechanisms for holding the police service accountable and
we congratulate the Board and its staff.
76. A co-operative and constructive relationship
has developed between the Board and the PSNI. This has not been
an easy task and the relationship has suffered setbacks because
of leaks of sensitive information provided to the Board by the
PSNI. Breaches of confidentiality have eroded the trust and confidence
which both the PSNI and the Office of the Police Ombudsman have
in the Board. Everything possible must be done by the Board to
ensure that such breaches do not recur and that the full trust
of the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman is regained.
77. The Board and the Ombudsman must work hard
to ensure that their relationship is excellent at all levels,
and we expect to see a mutually acceptable structure of communications
established without delay.
78. We are concerned by the high cost of the appointment
process for independent members of DPPs, and we expect the Board's
review of its approach to the process to result in much lower
costs in the future. It is crucial that the Board provides the
DPPs with the support and guidance which they require to carry
out their important functions effectively. We are also concerned
by the Board's delay in agreeing DPP's budgets. However, we are
pleased that the Board has committed itself to settling the 2005
budgets in a more efficient manner.
79. There is evidence which suggests that there
may be an overlap of functions and duplication of work between
the DPPs and CSPs. The government should consider further whether
the functions of these bodies could be rationalised.
80. We call on the government to consider whether
the remit of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate should be extended
to cover the Board given its important disciplinary role for senior
officers of the PSNI.
81. There should be a clear appeals process set
up for complainants who remain dissatisfied with decisions of
the Board.
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