Independent review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Report

Over the last number of weeks, I have been privileged to engage with a range of key stakeholders who have a shared responsibility for shaping and delivering policing in Northern Ireland. I have been impressed by their personal and professional motivation and commitment, along with their determination not to be deterred regardless of the challenges they face. In almost twenty-five years since the publication of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland (the Patten Report)1 much has been achieved, while our arrangements for police accountability and oversight are lauded internationally. However, both the strategic and operational context for policing has been constantly evolving – and we have now reached a critical juncture with regard to those arrangements. A series of events in August/September 2023 cumulatively undermined public confidence in the policing oversight and accountability architecture. These circumstances also coincided with a realisation that a twenty percent reduction in the annual police budget between 2010/11 – 2019/2020 now poses a significant risk to the future resilience of the Police Service of Northern Ireland – with the number of police officers and staff members at their lowest levels since the organisation came into being in 2001.Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board saw merit in undertaking a review of the Board and welcomed the Justice Minister commissioning this review in September 2024.Much of the content of this report is based on conversations with Policing Board members and senior staff. This report specifies a number of measures which collectively, could further enhance the effectiveness and standing of the Board. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all those who gave their time and contributed to this review. I also wish to acknowledge the public-spirit of those who serve in the PSNI and the members and staff of the Policing Board. In a politically sensitive, complex and demanding context, they deliver a critical public service.