New UUP MLA Jon Burrows calls for Unionism to have 'same passion' as Nationalism
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Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI criticised for ‘eroding confidence' in ethnic minority communities after launch of new plan
The PSNI announced the plan on Thursday, saying it was 'reaffirming its commitment to building trust, promoting equality, and improving engagement with all ethnic minority communities across Northern Ireland'. The plan has been developed and informed following public consultation in 2024, where the voice of community representatives, advocacy organisations, and policing partners shared what they expected from policing. A Freedom of Information response to this newspaper last year showed that just 39 PSNI officers, representing 0.6% of the police service, were from an ethnic minority background. Nineteen staff members, 0.77% of the civilian workforce, were from ethnic minorities. Through the plan, the PSNI is making five key commitments. Firstly, that it is committed to being an anti-racist Police Service and to people from an ethnic minority background feeling safe, valued by and engaged in policing. It also says it is committed to officers and staff from an ethnic minority background feeling safe, valued and are treated fairly and equally in the workplace. 'We are committed to being a Police Service that respects and is trusted by people from ethnic minority communities,' a statement added. 'We are a Police Service committed to excellence in diversity, equality, representation and inclusivity. 'The plan will be delivered through a number of work-streams, led by senior officers and staff: Internal Culture and Inclusivity; Community Engagement and Relations; Professionalism, Powers and Policy; Protection, Partnership and Justice; Performance and Accountability.' News Catch Up - Thursday 7th August Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said this plan represents the PSNI's ongoing commitment to our ethnic minority communities ensuring that everyone in Northern Ireland feels safe, supported and respected. 'We recognise the importance of listening to all communities and working together to build a policing service that truly reflects the diversity of the society we serve,' he added. 'Recent events have demonstrated the need for decisive action and clear leadership to stamp out racism which clearly exists in communities in Northern Ireland. We are confident this action plan will drive the work of the Police Service and help us to work more effectively with ethnic minority communities and partners. 'The Race and Ethnicity Action Plan aligns with PSNI's broader equality, diversity and inclusivity and our work through our 'Policing with the Community' vision, ensuring that tangible actions to address race and ethnicity are embedded across all areas of policing. 'PSNI is committed to regular updates on the progress of the plan and to continuing open dialogue with ethnic minority communities to ensure it meets their needs.' Responding to publication of the PSNI race and ethnicity action plan, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Director, said: 'For too long, the PSNI has over-policed and under-protected minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland. 'Race hate crime is at a record high, yet many victims still feel unable to report attacks – a stark reflection of mistrust in policing. 'From the heavy-handed response to Black Lives Matter protests to repeated failures to respond effectively to racist violence, the PSNI has eroded the confidence of many minoritised communities. 'The publication of this five-year plan is, therefore, a welcome and necessary step – a public commitment by the PSNI to becoming an anti-racist police force. 'Amnesty International will work alongside local communities to monitor progress and hold the police to account. In the end, the success of this plan won't be measured by words on paper, but by whether communities see real change in how they are policed and protected." The PSNI has been contacted for a response.
ITV News
3 hours ago
- ITV News
PSNI to encourage more applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds and set up anti-racist service
The PSNI has acknowledged the hurt caused to ethnic minorities by past police failings, including the handling of local Black Lives Matter protests. It comes as the force unveiled a new five-year racism and ethnicity action plan in the wake of recent racist violence in Northern Ireland. The new plan seeks to create an 'anti-racist police service', rebuild trust with communities following what they have called 'historical injustices', and increase the representation of ethnic minorities within the police force. In June, disorder in Ballymena was described by a senior PSNI officer as "racist thuggery, pure and simple'. Meanwhile last August, 349 race-related incidents were recorded by police, twice the previous monthly high, and those are just the ones reported. Many of these incidents happened in south Belfast, Northern Ireland's most multicultural constituency. Local community activist Takura Makoni has been the victim of racist graffiti, death threats and more; nobody has been convicted to date. He said: "Are we safe when we call the police? Do they respond? After they respond, do they follow up? Do they make us feel that they are concerned about what happened to us? "These are the concerns anybody has. It's not about whether you're a migrant. Nobody is looking for special attention from the police. "Everybody wants a serviceable police force that is considerate to victims of crimes that is supportive to victims of crimes that is working to prevent crimes with the community that is engaging with the community. "That's what everybody wants."
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
PSNI committed to anti-racism plans, says chief constable
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is committed to "being an anti-racist organisation", its chief constable Jon Boutcher has made the pledge as the organisation launched a Race and Ethnicity Action Plan in plan comes against the backdrop of a rise in the number of race hate crimes, including rioting in Ballymena in PSNI has also struggled to be better reflective of wider society in its composition. About 50 of its 6,200 officers are from an ethnic minority background, according to its own data Issues were also created by how it handled a Black Lives Matter protest in plan, developed following a public consultation last year, is "more than just a document", Mr Boutcher writes in a forward."We have made a commitment to being an anti-racist organisation."Mandatory "anti-racist and cultural competence training" will be delivered to all officers and also promises a "zero tolerance" approach on racial misconduct. The plan states that, nationally, it is accepted there is racism, discrimination and bias in policing."The Police Service of Northern Ireland also accepts this is the case and is determined and fully committed to taking practical and meaningful action."It also pledges to "robustly" pursue "those who offend against ethnic minority communities".Mr Boutcher added: "This plan represents our commitment to our ethnic minority communities, ensuring everyone in Northern Ireland feels safe, supported and respected."Recent events have demonstrated the need for decisive action and clear leadership to stamp out racism, which clearly exists in communities in Northern Ireland." 'Important step' The chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mukesh Sharma, welcomed the plan."There is much work to do in tackling hate crime," he said."Its eradication requires a wider societal response in parallel with a policing one and publication of this action plan is an important step."
