Justice Minister announces review of Northern Ireland Policing Board

The Justice Minister has announced that a review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board will start next week.

Naomi Long has announced that the review will commence on Monday, September 16, following "a series of policing related incidents".

The review will mainly involve the NI Policing Board, the PSNI and representative bodies, and the Department of Justice with an aim for it to be concluded by the end of December.

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Paul Sweeney, former Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has been appointed as Independent Reviewer. Dr John Topping, senior lecturer of Criminology at Queens University Belfast will act as the Independent Expert Advisor to the Independent Reviewer to inform the review process and outcomes.

The review will seek to look at the statutory functions and the extent that the board holds the PSNI to account, its roles and responsibilities and working practices.

The Minister said: “A review of the policing board was initially announced by the former chair of the Board, following a series of policing related incidents. However, it has always been my preference that an independent review be carried out and I thank Paul Sweeney and John Topping for agreeing to take it forward. I look forward to receiving the findings and recommendations of the review in due course.

“The review will be tightly focused and delivered in a timely manner to conclude by the end of December. It will primarily involve members and staff of the NI Policing Board, the PSNI and representative bodies, and the Department of Justice.”

Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma said: “The Board welcomes the announcement by the Justice Minister (today) and will fully assist the work of the Independent Reviewer and his expert adviser in discharging the Terms of Reference set.”

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