Belfast Harbour Police: A Follow-Up Review of inspection recommendations

The review examined the steps taken by Belfast Harbour Police to take forward 13 separate recommendations made by the Inspectorate in May 2008. It found that seven recommendations have been fully achieved and progress had been made in relation to a further five. 

“In the past 18 months Belfast Harbour Police (BHP) has worked hard to continue to pursue its aim of developing a more community-orientated style of policing,” said Brendan McGuigan, Deputy Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

“The organisation has invested time and effort in consulting and engaging with stakeholders within the harbour policing area with a view to developing productive relationships and providing a range of policing services.

“We would encourage BHP to continue with this work in support of its desire to adopt a community-orientated style of policing,” he said.

Mr McGuigan said the inspection review had found BHP had taken steps to both improve and standardise the training provided for BHP officers.

“New officers joining BHP are undertaking their initial training alongside student officers from Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) which incorporates firearms and personal safety training, while established BHP officers are participating in PSNI District training sessions where appropriate.

“These developments are to be welcomed and Inspectors believe that this initial progress can be further strengthened when the outstanding protocol with the PSNI is established,” he said.

Mr McGuigan stated the Inspectors were disappointed to find that work to finalise the protocol had not been completed and he urged BHP to continue to work in partnership with PSNI colleagues to bring the comprehensive protocol to fruition.