6 Conclusions
72. The Office of the Police Ombudsman was established
to provide an independent and impartial complaints system for
members of the public into the conduct of police officers in Northern
Ireland. Our inquiry has demonstrated that significant progress
has been made by the Office in establishing an effective complaints
system. We received strong evidence that the Ombudsman is contributing
to positive changes in policing policies and practices and, despite
the difficult political context, has made good progress in gaining
the confidence of many in the main communities in Northern Ireland.
73. The difficulty of the Ombudsman's task in
attempting to secure the confidence of police officers is considerable.
Managing the relationship is unlikely ever to be straightforward.
We are concerned by the very low level of confidence which police
officers and their representative bodies presently have in the
Ombudsman. However, we were pleased to note an appetite for constructive
discussion and debate on police practice and complaints procedures
on the part of the PSNI, the police staff associations, and the
Office. The parties must build further on this co-operative basis.
The Ombudsman should arrange for regular monitoring of levels
of police confidence in her Office, and publish the full results
straightaway.
74. The Ombudsman's relationship with the Northern
Ireland Policing Board is a critical one for the success of the
new policing arrangements. Without full mutual cooperation these
arrangements will be damaged, and the people of Northern Ireland
will not receive the excellent policing service to which they
are entitled. It is our view that more regular communication between
the Ombudsman and the Policing Board will improve their effectiveness
and assist in achieving the increase in police accountability
envisaged by the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern
Ireland. We also urge the Ombudsman to continue her existing commendable
efforts to improve young people's awareness and understanding
of the Office and the new complaints system.
75. We do not consider that the time is right
to create an independent body to deal with maladministration complaints
against the Ombudsman. A process for independent investigation
of maladministration complaints exists and, with the improvements
we have recommended, should be given the opportunity to work.
However, we shall keep these arrangements under review.
76. The Ombudsman's remit should be extended so
that she has power to determine that a complaint is suitable for
mediation rather than formal investigation. We believe that this
is a sensible way forward and will improve the efficiency of the
complaints system and facilitate greater flexibility. We urge
the government to make the necessary legislative changes as soon
as possible.
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