Clause 35 - Police complaints
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill
5:15 pm
The amendments are directly connected. They attempt to clarify what the DPP must do if he receives information to suggest that a police officer has committed a criminal offence or has
breached discipline, but a formal complaint has not been made. The DPP must refer such matters to the police ombudsman.
The amendments are intended to give statutory effect to recommendation 21 of the review, which states:
''We recommend that a duty be placed on the prosecutor to ensure that any allegations of malpractice by the police are fully investigated.''
Accordingly, the amendments would strengthen the Bill, which gives the DPP only discretionary authority to bring a matter to the ombudsman's attention. The review is fairly explicit. We believe that that recommendation—it also appears in paragraph 4.133—will strengthen not only the DPP and his office, but the position of the police.
In effect, the amendment is an attempt to avoid police bashing, and to avoid criticising the process of justice. Instead, it is an attempt to strengthen both the police and that process, to allow for maximum confidence in their operation and perception. I recommend the amendments.