The University of Ulster, in association with the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Policing Board today host a major conference exploring the future of policing in Northern Ireland.
Ten years after the formation of the PSNI senior policing and justice professionals will join community representatives, leading academics and politicians from Northern Ireland and beyond at the University of Ulster's Jordanstown campus on Thursday and Friday to address the new policing challenges facing society in the years ahead.
Hosted by the University's School of Criminology, Politics and Social Policy, the two-day event will include presentations on
· Ten Years of Policing in Northern Ireland
· Policing in a Challenging Environment
· Contemporary Local Policing and Justice Landscapes
· Community Confidence
· Accountability
· Policing and the Criminal Justice System
· An Overview of Policing in Northern Ireland Past and Present
· Legacy and Policing
· An Overview of Policing in Northern Ireland Past and Present
· Early Intervention
· Policing and Victims
· Policing and Third Sector
· Equality and Diversity
· Crime / Global Threats
· Spending Review and Policing
· Future of the CJS
· Policing and Private Sector
The 150 delegates were welcomed to the campus by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett:
“At its heart, this University is about the creation of knowledge through research and its dissemination through teaching and innovation. Our focus is on teaching and research that advances and develops disciplines and impacts directly on policy and professional practice.
“I believe that in a fundamental sense the PSNI and the University of Ulster have similar aims. We seek to serve this region; we are integral parts of the local community; and we believe partnership working is the only way in which we can achieve our visions. “
Brian Rea, Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said:
“A decade on, the time is right to have a new conversation on policing. Through this conference, we want to briefly reflect on the change programme but more importantly consider the challenges, and be challenged by the community and others, on the issues for policing and the Board moving forward.
"Collectively we share a responsibility for building a safer community and ensuring the policing progress of the last 10 years is built on
for the next. Through this conference the Board and PSNI want to have those important discussions so that vision can be realised.”
PSNI Chair Constable Matt Baggott said:
“The past 10 years have witnessed the new beginning to policing envisaged by Patten. However, the time is right to consider the future potential, context and force for good of policing in Northern Ireland. Delegates will consider how the PSNI can increase confidence and deliver a service that meets community expectations, against a backdrop of considerable financial restraint.
It is only by challenging our thinking through conversations such as this that we can develop a common understanding of what the future of policing in Northern Ireland should be.”
A special Twitter hashtag has been created for the conference: ̢۬
#changeandchallenge
ENDS
Notes for Editors
University of Ulster
Since 1973 the University of Ulster and its predecessor, the Ulster Polytechnic, has been engaged in providing academic training to new police recruits in Northern Ireland.
In 1973 the then Ulster Polytechnic introduced a part-time Higher National Certificate in Police Studies for serving RUC officers.
Following the creation of the University of Ulster in October 1984, the relationship has continued to the present time through this and other courses, with a number of developments having taken place at different times.
Currently the course validated by the University for all new recruits is the Certificate of Higher Education in Policing, a course that allows students to benefit academically from their studies by recognising the appropriate level of skill development and the student effort hours expended within the programme.
Student officers are developed to the point where they have clear potential to become efficient and effective police officers, and understand the relevance of personal and professional development to their career advancement.
More University of Ulster news at: University of Ulster Media Centre