New ethics code for Northern Ireland police
All police officers in Northern Ireland will be expected to work with fairness and integrity under a new human rights rule book launched today.
More than 13,000 copies of the Code of Ethics were being handed out in a bid to boost public confidence in the force.
Policing Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea said the guidelines will impact on decisions made by every officer up to the chief constable.
He declared: “The people of Northern Ireland have the right to expect their police service to work with effectiveness, efficiency, fairness and integrity.”
The code sets out standards of conduct and practice for all Police Service of Northern Ireland officers based on the European Convention on Human Rights.
It is split into 10 sections, including professional duty, police investigations, privacy, use of force, treatment of arrested people, equality and fitness for duty.
The document fulfils one of the key recommendations contained in the Patten blueprint for reforming the old Royal Ulster Constabulary.
After receiving a draft copy from Chief Constable Hugh Orde, Prof Rea consulted the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan before it was published.
The chairman added: “The code also makes it clear as to what standards and behaviours are acceptable and what are not.”
Mr Orde insisted the vast majority of his officers already work to the standard required.
The new guidelines is a validation of their hard work and professionalism, he claimed.
But the police chief also accepted: “Integrity is non-negotiable. We have to demonstrate it to retain the support of the local community.”
During a three-month consultation process, human rights organisations including the Committee for the Administration of Justice, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the British Irish Rights Watch all scrutinised the code.
Assistant chief constable Sam Kinkaid insisted that both police and the public would benefit from the code.
“This code should not be viewed as a restrictive document which hinders officers in the pursuit of their duties,” he said.
“Instead, it protects the overwhelming majority of officers who work tirelessly to safeguard the rule of law and provide a professional police service.”
