In our recent response to the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government, we articulated how we believe strongly that we have a significant contribution to make to the work to end violence against women and girls, as a strategic partner within the criminal justice system, and as an influencer of change in terms of tackling behaviour and attitudes.
In our recent response to the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government, we articulated how we believe strongly that we have a significant contribution to make to the work to end violence against women and girls, as a strategic partner within the criminal justice system, and as an influencer of change in terms of tackling behaviour and attitudes.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
We agree strongly that ‘we must work together to end the epidemic of violence, abuse, and harm against women and girls’ and with the proposed actions in the draft Programme for Government.
The launch of the Executive’s first delivery plan is a necessary and critical step to do so, and the suggested approach of mobilising existing and new partnerships across government and all sections of society is the correct one.
We believe strongly that the Police Ombudsman has a significant contribution to make to this work as a strategic partner within the criminal justice system, and as an influencer of change in terms of tackling the behaviour and attitudes which the draft Programme for Government outlines.
Our work is increasingly focused on addressing any corrupt and harmful behaviours that facilitate police officers abusing their position for sexual purposes.
Our investigations have led to five convictions or dismissals in such cases since 2020, with work ongoing on a significant number of others.
The impact of such cases on victims, their families, and on wider public confidence in policing is considerable.
Data published in England and Wales has shown that when police officers perpetrate violence against women and girls it can have a significant impact on the willingness of victims to report domestic/sexual violence.
The YouGov/EVWG1 survey found that:
• 76% of women (and 71% of all adults polled) think the culture of policing has to change in order to better respond to violence against women and girls
• 1 in 10 women (10%) would be less likely to report sexual assault to the police following the Sarah Everard case.
Clearly, therefore, the criminal behaviour of police officers has the potential to undermine confidence in policing in Northern Ireland, and by extension the wider justice system.
Equally important as the direct investigation of individual police officers’ conduct, is the Police Ombudsman’s key role in investigating allegations that policing either failed to prevent foreseeable violence against women and girls, or that investigations into femicide or sexual assault lacked the necessary rigour. As such, our insights into weaknesses in police systems can be vital in ensuring the police strategy to combat Violence Against Women and Girls is effective, efficient and reflected in operational practice.
Our investigations, therefore, contribute directly to the stated priority in the draft Programme for Government ‘to end the epidemic of violence, abuse, and harm against women and girls’.
We would wish to see the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland included as a strategic partner in this respect and to ensure that the draft Programme for Government recognises the contribution our work to identify any deficiency in policing makes to confidence in policing and to address the risk of under reporting.
What else did we say in response to the draft Programme for Government?
In our response we also commented on Safer Communities and Transformation of Public Services
Safer Communities
We agree very strongly with the inclusion of the ‘Safer Communities’ priority and with those actions identified in the draft Programme for Government.
We are part of the wider justice system in Northern Ireland and our primary function is to ensure that people here have confidence in policing and that means our work, particularly in investigating the complaints of those who have been victims of crime, is integral to creating safer communities.
We particularly welcome the inclusion of a ‘Speeding Up Justice Programme’ in the Executive’s plans; the drive to both reform systems and underpin that reform by investment in digital capabilities; and the importance attached to ensuring adequate resources within our justice agencies to respond to and deal with crime.
We believe the actions outlined are directly applicable to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and would wish to see specific reference to this Office in this regard in the draft Programme for Government.
We would also draw attention to relevant sections of the Police Ombudsman’s legislative review (published November 2020) and the specific recommendations made which relate to disciplinary and fast track procedures (Review under Section 61(4) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998).
Transformation of Public Services
We strongly agree with the inclusion of the Transformation of Public Services as a priority and with the associated actions.
The draft Programme rightly references the pressures on the justice system: ‘As the justice system is demand-led, scarce resources are allocated to inescapable demand first, meaning the scope for transforming the system to deal with increasing case complexity is challenging’.
This Office has also been subject to these demand-led pressures and has equally felt the impact on our ability to process, investigate and close complaints in a timely and efficient manner.
Support and funding for this Office is critical to ensure effective, contemporary police oversight and accountability, and digital capability has been identified as a key element of our own transformational change programme.
We welcome, therefore, the commitment to harness new technologies to speed up delivery and lower costs and to improve performance. We appreciate that innovation, and not simply financing, is central to any transformation programme.
This Office looks forward to being part of the wider public sector transformation programme and seeks confirmation that we will have the opportunity to be part of the programme and to benefit from project support and funding.