A new report from the Police Ombudsman’s Office outlines initiatives taken during 2012/13 to help improve access to its services by everyone in Northern Ireland – including minority groups and those with disabilities.
The Office took a series of measures during the year to develop the service it provides to young people.
These included the introduction of a new policy - developed in conjunction with the Children’s Law Centre and the Youth Justice Agency - recognising the right of young people to make complaints either with or without the support of an appropriate adult.
The Office also worked with Youth Action to develop a training programme on the police complaints system as part of that organisation’s youth workers training programme.
A Police Ombudsman channel was launched on YouTube, featuring short videos with subtitles in a choice of languages, to improve the accessibility of information about the work of the Office.
Almost 40 meetings with community groups
And representatives of the Office also undertook almost 40 face-to-face meetings with community groups, including a series of meetings about the flags issue.
Work is ongoing on a number of other initiatives, including a project with the police and the Children’s
Law Centre to promote awareness among young people of their rights during stop and search situations.
An online resource pack is also being developed for teachers planning lessons for the citizenship module of the school curriculum.
And work is continuing towards the implementation of a Disability Action Plan detailing measures to be taken by the Office to meet the needs of disabled people.
The report also reaffirms the Office’s continuing support for the annual Gay Pride event in Belfast.