Minister publishes response to Review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
Date published:
Justice Minister Naomi Long has published the Department’s response to the Independent Review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
The Independent Review, commissioned by the Minister in September 2024, examined the Board’s statutory functions and the extent to which it holds the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to account, alongside its wider roles, responsibilities and working practices.
It was carried out by Paul Sweeney, former Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Dr John Topping, senior lecturer in Criminology at Queen’s University Belfast acted as the Independent Expert Advisor to inform the review process and outcomes. The Independent Reviewer engaged with more than 70 stakeholders including statutory bodies and other parties of interest.
The Minister said:
“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Sweeney and Dr John Topping for the thoroughness, professionalism and clarity they brought to this work. They engaged widely, listened carefully and have produced a thoughtful and balanced report that makes a constructive contribution to the future of policing governance in Northern Ireland.
“The Review confirms strong support for the continuation of the Board in its current statutory form. It does not recommend structural reform. Instead, it identifies practical measures to enhance the Board’s effectiveness and standing, clarify roles, strengthen strategic focus and reinforce good governance.
“In considering the recommendations, I have been guided by a number of principles: respect for independence and the need for proportionality in the current fiscal context. Not every recommendation will require legislative change or new structures; in many cases, improvement can, and should, be delivered within the existing framework.
“Accordingly, I have adopted a proportionate approach to implementation. A number of recommendations have been accepted, or accepted in principle, and will be progressed by the Board and the PSNI as appropriate.”
The Minister concluded:
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of both the Policing Board and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They have played a vital role in embedding policing by consent and strengthening public confidence across our communities. It is right, therefore, that we take time to reflect on how those arrangements are working today and how they can continue to evolve.”
The report and the Department’s response can be found at the publication section of this website.
Notes to editors:
- On 12 September 2024 the Justice Minister commissioned the independent review of the Policing Board and appointed Mr Paul Sweeney, former Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Dr John Topping, senior lecturer of Criminology at Queens University Belfast to take the review forward.
- The terms of reference for the review is available at our news section
- Media enquiries to the Department of Justice Press Office email or phone: 028 9052 6444.
- To keep up to date with news from the Department follow us on : LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Youtube, Justice NI (@Justice_NI) / X, www.justice-ni.gov.uk
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.