Policing row: Board demands meeting with Hain
The Northern Ireland Policing Board tonight expressed fears that Peter Hain is involved in behind the scenes talks which could lead a two tier system of policing.
After board members demanded a face to face meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary over British government plans to fund community restorative justice schemes, their chairman Sir Desmond Rea said they would oppose any back door move to allow self-appointed groups to take on quasi-policing roles – including stopping and searching people in the street.
“There is no way that we can stand idly by and allow this to happen,” the Policing Board chairman said.
Community restorative justice groups bring victims face to face with the perpetrators in local neighbourhoods to agree how they will pay for their crimes.
Supporters of the schemes say they are aimed at developing an alternative to so-called punishment attacks in areas where paramilitaries have shot or beaten people accused of crimes.
However Policing Board members and critics of the schemes fear republicans, who have refused to endorse or participate in policing in Northern Ireland, could use the programmes to create local unaccountable police forces.
Sir Desmond said: “The Board is unanimous on this matter – if the rumours are right, we are in imminent danger across Northern Ireland of seeing a two-tier system of policing introduced by the back door, with self-appointed groups taking on quasi-policing roles – including stopping and searching people in the street – squeezing out PSNI, and being paid out of public funds.”
He continued: “The board is taking this unprecedented stand today to call for an immediate halt to any deals on a fundamental aspect of policing being carried out behind closed doors, completely excluding the Policing Board, despite board representations.
“The board calls on the Secretary of State to urgently meet the board so that it can play its proper role in overseeing policing, of which this is a central and vital element.
“The Board considers that it is also necessary to have appropriate and coordinated oversight of the development of restorative justice schemes, as well as wider community safety issues, and that the statutorily-constituted Policing Board, may be the appropriate body to take on this role.”
