Your Service, Your Say

What do you think are the most important priorities for policing in your area and what aspects of local policing are important to you?

The PSNI and Northern Ireland Policing Board are looking for your views to help shape the future of policing.

Their joint consultation is part of the Local Policing Review 2018 and will explore how police can best meet public need and demands and deliver the most effective local policing.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Policing & Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Chairperson, Councillor Robert Burgess, said, “It is really important that local communities have their say on what their policing priorities are and this is your chance to shape how things are delivered in the future.

“If you are interested in contributing your views on how your area is best policed, come along to the consultation meeting at 7pm in Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle on Monday 8 October 2018. If you can’t make it, you can contribute online at www.psni.prioritysimulator.com”

Chief Constable George Hamilton said: “Over the past 10 years crime has reduced however the complexity and type of work faced by local policing has changed. Low level crime such as criminal damage and theft has reduced; but we now deal with much more complex crimes such as sexual exploitation and cybercrime. Increasing vulnerability in our society also has an impact on policing with around 150 of the calls we receive every day linked to a person with identified mental health issues.

“In addition to these changing demands, we have a reducing police budget and fewer police officers. We now have to consider how we can future-proof our service so that we can continue to deliver for our local communities.

“We cannot do this alone. Now, more than ever, we need to focus on building partnerships – working together with our public sector, voluntary and community colleagues and, most importantly, work with every individual member of our society.”

The consultation will give the public and stakeholders an insight into the complexity of policing and the opportunity to share their views on how PSNI can meet the changing demands and priorities they face.

Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Anne Connolly said: “It is important that the public have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion on the future delivery of their policing service and better understand the types of issues that the PSNI is facing in deciding where and how resources are used.

Following the Review of Public Administration in 2015, the PSNI gave the Board an undertaking that local policing changes would be reviewed to ensure they were operating effectively.  We’re now working with the Chief Constable on that review and we want to hear how you think the police can best meet future public need and demands and deliver local policing in your area.

We are asking for your response to three key questions and you will have the opportunity to share your views and ideas at local meetings in your area.”

For more information, contact the PCSP Manager on 0300 013 2233, follow us on Facebook at Newry, Mourne & Down PCSP and on Twitter at @nmd_pcsp