DPP and charitylaunch PSNI report

The report is the outcome of a major research project co-funded by the Police Ombudsman’s Office and the Policing Board.

The research examined issues faced by people with learning disabilities when dealing with the police and related organisations.

The report makes 24 recommendations to help ensure that the police and their partners respond appropriately to the needs of people with learning disabilities, and also to help combat hate crime.

Councillor Thomas Conway, Chairman of the Londonderry District Policing Partnership (DPP) said: “I am aware that the issue of police engagement with people with learning disabilities has been raised by my colleagues on the Derry DPP on numerous occasions and we certainly welcome this report and the recommendations included within it.

“Given the input from groups and individuals from Derry and the North West we felt it was important to facilitate a local launch of this report.”

Declan O’Kane of DESTINED said: “We were delighted to participate in the research for this report and now welcome the publication of the findings.

“We will continue to engage with relevant organisations to ensure that people with learning disabilities are treated at all times with dignity, fairness, equality and respect.”

Vice Chair of the NI Policing Board, Gearóid Ó hEára,commented: “This report provides a real insight into the some of the issues facing people with disabilities in accessing policing and aspects of the criminal justice system. As a Board, we will be making sure that the recommendations for policing are fully implemented.”

Eileen Beamish from Social Market Research who authored the report added: “This landmark piece of research provides a window into how those people with learning disabilities interact with policing arrangements in NI.

“I sincerely hope that the report and its recommendations will help support the police and associated organisations to better understand the challenges that people with learning disabilities face.”

Chief Superintendent Peter Farrar, Deputy Head of the PSNI’s Criminal Justice Department, added: “We welcome the publication of this report. We will look at recommendations made within it and examine how we can implement these throughout the Police Service.

“The Police Service is fully committed to working with all people across Northern Ireland as part of our delivery of a more personal, professional, protective policing service to everyone in our communities.

“This is a positive report for policing and demonstrates how we promote engagement with people with learning disabilities.”

A copy of the report is available at: http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/learning_disability_research_final_report.pdf