Policing in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, there are bodies that oversee the police to see how well they are doing their job. The Belfast Agreement led to a team being set up to recommend changes to policing in Northern Ireland, including the set up of a new Policing Board.
There were also changes to other parts of the justice system, including a new body to carry out inspections called Criminal Justice Inspection NI. Another report, the Hayes Report, led to a Police Ombudsman being set up. The Police Ombudsman’s job is to look into complaints about the conduct of police. After agreements made by politicians, the NI Assembly and Executive got powers to make laws on policing and justice in Northern Ireland.
The bodies who oversee the police are the NI Policing Board, the Police Ombudsman (PONI), Criminal Justice Inspection NI (CJI), HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the NI Audit Office (NIAO). The Justice Committee watches over the work of the Minister of Justice.
Where to direct queries on policing and policing oversight
The bodies are all independent of each other. You can find out more about each of the bodies by clicking the links below.
Policing and Community Safety Partnerships
Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Irelandcji
Minister of Justice
Assembly Justice Committee
Some members of the Assembly belong to the Justice Committee. The Justice Committee helps the Minister in making laws and deciding how to spend money. The Committee also examines what the Minister is doing and publishes reports.
The Justice Committee asks people from the police, Police Ombudsman and Chief Inspector to talk to Members of the Committee about their work.