Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland

The Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland was established in 1998 as part of the Belfast Agreement, intended as a major step in the Northern Ireland peace process. Chaired by Conservative politician Chris Patten, it was better known as the Patten Commission.

Terms of Reference

Under the terms of reference defined in the Belfast Agreement, the Commission was to inquire into policing in Northern Ireland, consult widely, and make proposals for future policing structures and arrangements, including the police force composition, recruitment, training, culture, ethos and symbols.

The aim of the proposals was to create a police service that would be effective, operate in partnership with the community, cooperate with the Garda Síochána and other police forces, and be accountable both to the law and the community which it was to serve.

The Report

On September 9 1999 the Commission produced its report, entitled "A New Beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland" popularly known as the "Patten Report", which contained 175 symbolic and practical recommendations. Key recommendations included:
* replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary by the Police Service of Northern Ireland;
* a new Policing Board and District Policing Partnership Boards to ensure accountability;
* creation of a Police Ombudsman and a Complaints Tribunal;
* removal of most visible symbols of Britishness from the police service;
* a 50-50 recruitment policy for Catholics and Protestants;
* a new code of ethics and oath of office, including a strong emphasis on human rights;
* an emphasis on community policing and normalisation;
* proposals for training, community liaison, cooperation with other police services, and recruitment from outside Northern Ireland; and
* repeal by the Gaelic Athletic Association of its rule 21, which prohibited members of the police or British army in Northern Ireland from being members of the Association.

Effect

The report led to the publication of the "Police (Northern Ireland) Bill" in May 2000, and its subsequent implementation. Sinn Féin, which represents a quarter of Northern Ireland's voters, refused to endorse the new force until the Patten recommendations had been implemented in full, however voted to support the force in 2007 and now take their seats on the Northern Ireland Policing Board. A Gaelic Athletic Association convention repealed Rule 21 (a ban on members of the British army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary from playing Gaelic games), although almost all of the votes to do so came from the Republic. Of the six associations in Northern Ireland, only County Down voted to repeal it.

External links

* [http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/patten99.pdf The full report (PDF)]
* [http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/recommend.htm The Summary of Recommendations]
* [http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/policeact/bill2000.htm Police (Northern Ireland) Bill]