Lack of police reform progress criticised

The senior American police officer overseeing police reforms in the North has criticised the lack of progress in implementing changes to the Special Branch. The Special Branch is due to be amalgamated with CID.

In his sixth report, Tom Constantine also expressed concern that some people were being discouraged from considering careers as police officers.

The Oversight Commissioner said there was evidence of a lack of encouragement by political leaders, although he did not single out any party. He added that there were reports of actual intimidation.

Mr Constantine's independent assessment of moves to implement the Patten report for policing reform in Northern Ireland found substantial progress. He said that the process of change was irrevocable.

Other areas for concern

The Oversight Commissioner's report highlighted several other areas of concern, including:

- Little progress has been made in moves to ease a manpower crisis by employing civilians and releasing hundreds more desk-bound officers

- The progress of the Special Branch and CID amalgamation is moving so slowly that the Oversight Commissioner's remit could run out before the new system is in place

- Unfilled administrative posts mean that new district command structures are not functioning properly

- The highest sick leave levels in the UK have yet to be addressed

- Limited progress has been made in removing fortress-like police stations, which still bear the trappings of conflict

- An early-warning system to identify problem police officers has not yet been developed

- Work has yet to start on a police college

- Demands for officer classroom training on new policing and human rights legislation have yet to be met.