Role of Policing Policy and Strategy Division (PPSD)
- Promote a high level of public confidence in policing and in the tripartite accountability arrangements.
- Responsible for issues relating to personnel policies and procedures for police officers.
- Delivery of the Appropriate Adult service to juveniles and vulnerable adults.
- Ensure robust oversight and governance of a wide range of arm’s length bodies (ALBs).
- Planning for the implementation of the new Historical Investigations Unit (HIU), which would investigate outstanding troubles-related deaths
Strategic Policing Policy and Sponsorship Branch
The Branch is responsible for ensuring robust corporate governance and oversight of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Policing Board, Office of Police Ombudsman Northern Ireland, Probation Board Northern Ireland, Prisoner Ombudsman, Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust, Northern Ireland Police Fund, Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation and the Independent Monitoring Boards.
The Branch also works with the PSNI, the NIPB and Departmental colleagues to support development of the Annual Policing Plan and provides policy support for the Parole Commissioners NI, which includes managing their recruitment and maintenance of their terms and conditions. The branch provides secretariat support for the Independent Monitoring Boards for the Magilligan and Maghaberry Prisons and Hydebank Wood College.
Police Powers and Human Resources Policy Branch
The Branch is responsible for issues relating to personnel policies and procedures for police officers. In addition, the Branch is responsible for the provision and maintenance of the Police and Criminal Evidence (NI) Order 1989 (PACE) legislative framework for police powers in NI and delivery of the Appropriate Adult service to juveniles and vulnerable adults who require support while in custody.
The PACE codes are an important aspect of the framework of police powers in Northern Ireland. They regulate the exercise of powers by police officers and set down important safeguards and protections to persons who come into contact with the police.
Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) Implementation Team
Subject to political agreement and forthcoming legislation at Westminster, the Implementation Team is responsible for planning for the implementation of the new HIU, which would investigate outstanding troubles-related deaths, as set out in the Stormont House Agreement.
We work with these bodies
- PSNI
- Northern Ireland Policing Board
- Prisoner Ombudsman
- Police Rehabilitation & Retraining Trust (PRRT)
- Northern Ireland Police Fund
- RUC George Cross Foundation (RUC GC F)
- Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
- Probation Board for Northern Ireland
- Independent Monitoring Board
- Parole Commission for Northern Ireland