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Report blasts state of policing Report blasts state of policing
(40 minutes later)
An internal police report has delivered a withering critique of the state of policing in Northern Ireland.An internal police report has delivered a withering critique of the state of policing in Northern Ireland.
It said police were not delivering an effective service and had lost sight of what was important to communities.It said police were not delivering an effective service and had lost sight of what was important to communities.
The report said officers in districts spend an average of 61% of their time in stations on administrative tasks.The report said officers in districts spend an average of 61% of their time in stations on administrative tasks.
It said the PSNI does not provide "an effective 24-hour policing service" because officers are not deployed when and where needed.It said the PSNI does not provide "an effective 24-hour policing service" because officers are not deployed when and where needed.
The report, labelled restricted, was intended exclusively for an internal police readership, which probably explains why the language used was so frank.The report, labelled restricted, was intended exclusively for an internal police readership, which probably explains why the language used was so frank.
Senior officers were tasked with drawing up a strategic vision for the PSNI for the next three to five years. They did not pull any punches.Senior officers were tasked with drawing up a strategic vision for the PSNI for the next three to five years. They did not pull any punches.
While it may be stating the obvious to say the main objectives of the police are to prevent crime and catch criminals, the report said "there is little evidence of the PSNI having an over-arching crime prevention strategy" and that the organisation appeared to have "insufficient information" on the factors that cause crime.While it may be stating the obvious to say the main objectives of the police are to prevent crime and catch criminals, the report said "there is little evidence of the PSNI having an over-arching crime prevention strategy" and that the organisation appeared to have "insufficient information" on the factors that cause crime.
The review team called for a fresh approach to end the 9-5 culture it said "has developed in the organisation".The review team called for a fresh approach to end the 9-5 culture it said "has developed in the organisation".
It also said reducing budgets may mean the number of police officers may have to be reduced by 500 from the current level of 7,500.It also said reducing budgets may mean the number of police officers may have to be reduced by 500 from the current level of 7,500.
The report is due to be discussed at a public meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board next week.
Board member Basil McCrea, of the UUP, said that people will have noticed fewer officers on the beat.
"This is not really a critique of the police but the environment we put the police into," he said.
"If we put them into a compliance orientated culture where there is more emphasis being placed on filling in forms about crime than actually solving crime - this is a challenge to society and the oversight bodies, not just to the police."