A
remarkable look at the future, and failings, of policing in North The Patten
report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary is certain to be acclaimed by historians.
It presents nothing less than a new beginning for policing
From IRISH TIMES September 10th, 1999
It opts for, by present standards, an unthinkable degree of openness. For
instance, it insists on monthly public meetings between the board, which
would consist jointly of elected representatives from the Assembly and people
representative of the community, and the Chief Constable, where the community
would be seen to be visibly holding the police to account for its conduct
and actions. It goes on to define the scope of the relationship between
the "operationally responsible" Chief Constable and the requirement for
him to account for his decisions afterwards, spelling out the doctrine that
he could not be told in advance either by government or the board how he
should deploy resources and officers under his independent command and control.
This has been one of the most vexed questions at the heart of accountable
and open police public relations for many years. The management style of
the RUC is also severely criticised by the commission. It says the RUC is
an "organisation which is commanded rather than managed" and quotes an operational
officer in Newry who told the commission: "Nobody comes down to discuss policy decisions - we are told ." The commission says this hierarchical
and bureaucratic style of management must change. Such criticisms will attract
widespread support from within the ranks. The commission significantly singles
out the Disabled Police Officers' Association and the Widows' Association,
saying that in many cases injured officers and widows have not been treated
as well as they should have been by the police and the welfare services.
It says that compensation packages awarded in the early years of the Troubles
were derisory and that a substantial fund should now be established to provide
adequate recompense. There will now be a period of consultation and discussion
about the recommendations. The commission says: "We cannot be judge and jury now of the precise timing of implementation. The Government and others responsible should not take our realism as an excuse for footdragging."
To ensure that the Patten proposals are not shelved indefinitely the commission
has wisely advised that someone of international standing should be appointed
to monitor change, to publish a progress report and to ensure that it takes
place. Chris Ryder, a former member of the Police Authority of Northern
Ireland, is the author of The RUC: A Force Under Fire |
