Consultation on Police Ombudsman’s Office launched

Justice Minister David Ford has today launched a public consultation on reforms to the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI).
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Mar 2012, 23:01 BST

These proposals are set out in two documents and cover proposed changes to the structure, role and powers of the Office.

The first is a discussion paper on OPONI produced by the Department of Justice in response to recommendations in the Tony McCusker Report.

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The second is the Police Ombudsman’s Five Year Review Report on the working of Part VII of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.

David Ford said: “This consultation outlines the potential for significant changes to the legislative framework and governance arrangements for the Ombudsman’s

Office.

“I am keen to ensure that we have the best operating model for the Office going forward and I would ask people to consider the proposals and recommendations very

carefully.

“The existence of an effective and independent complaints system is something that the public and police have a right to expect. It is a key part of the policing

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architecture in Northern Ireland intended to secure public confidence in their police service.

“I want to ensure that flowing from this consultation process we have an Office that delivers significant benefit to the people of Northern Ireland and contributes to

public confidence in the policing arrangements more widely.”

The proposals include: 1, Whether the current model for the Police Ombudsman’s office, that of a corporation sole, continues to be the most appropriate; 2, whether it is appropriate that the Police Ombudsman can have a policing background; 3, extension of the Police Ombudsman’s remit to include civilian ‘policing’ posts; 4, being able to compel officers and retired officers to attend interview (although not to answer questions) and provide documentation in the investigation of grave and exceptional matters; 5, reducing the term of the Police Ombudsman to five years, with the option of reappointment for up to a five further years, and, 6, amending the Complaints Regulations to allow the investigations of cases occurring either directly as a result of police action or indirectly due to police operations despite the fact that the death might otherwise have previously been investigated by police.

Mr Ford added: “This is a vital area of public policy and I would encourage all who have an interest to respond to this consultation.”

The closing date for responses is Friday, June 8.