Recommendation 1:

PSNI should consider how to better utilize the experience and expertise available within the community for the development and delivery of specialist training packages.

 

Recommendation 2:

The PSNI should, within 3 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report, provide to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee an analysis of all new decisions taken upon application by an individual to have DNA  profiles, samples and fingerprints destroyed together with any decisions taken to review or amend the policy to be adopted on any such an application being made.

 

Recommendation 3:

PSNI should provide to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee an explanation (together with reasons) for any decision to continue to store such information or material. That explanation should be provided within 6 weeks of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report

 

Recommendation 4:

 PSNI should report to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee, within 3 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report, on the structures and policy in place to ensure that the retention of photographs by police of all persons arrested is lawful, proportionate and necessary.

 

Recommendation 5:

The PSNI should analyse the behaviour and/or conduct that was alleged to have resulted in sub-Article 1.10 breaches with a view to identifying any trends or patterns that emerge and thereafter report to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee with the results of that analysis within 6 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report.

 

Recommendation 6:

The PSNI should, within 3 months of the conclusion of its review of public order policing and the use of force, provide to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee a report setting out the findings of the review and all steps taken or to be taken as a result of that review. In particular, the PSNI should consider any issues that arise in relation to the use of AEP rounds.

 

Recommendation 7:

The PSNI should develop annual briefing sessions which consider lessons learned from the previous year’s public order operations and which consider in particular the human rights issues involved in the planning and execution of public order operations.

 

Recommendation 8:

PSNI should publish its use of force statistics on the PSNI website on a 6-monthly basis.

 

Recommendation 9:

PSNI should forthwith complete its review of all intelligence policies, procedures and protocols and complete its overarching policy on the management of intelligence and report to the Policing Board within 4 weeks of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report.

 

Recommendation 10:

The PSNI should develop a hate crime strategy, in consultation with its Independent Advisory Groups, which considers the reasons for the underreporting of hate crime, the procedures in place for reassuring and protecting victims of hate crime and a robust response to hate crime. That strategy should be provided to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee within 12 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report.

 

Recommendation 11:

PSNI should disaggregate the statistics it collates under the heading of disability hate crime to include a separate category for learning disability.

 

Recommendation 12:

The PSNI should consider how best to ensure that officers and staff are able to recognize learning disability and therefore to respond appropriately. The PSNI should report to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee within 12 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report on its proposals.

 

Recommendation 13:

The PSNI should analyse the reason(s) for the increased number of concerns noted by Custody Visitors in respect of the health and well-being of detainees and consider what steps may be required to remedy those concerns. The analysis should pay particular regard to the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. The PSNI should report on its analysis to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee within 3 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report.

 

Recommendation 14:

PSNI should report to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee annually on the number of detainees held in on-designated police stations for more than 6 hours together with the reason for that further detention.

 

Recommendation 15:

The PSNI should review its policy and practice in respect of arrests under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to ensure that police officers do not revert to section 41 in cases where it is anticipated that the suspect is more likely to be charged under non-terrorism legislation. The PSNI should there after provide reassurance to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee that relevant safeguards have been put in place.

 

Recommendation 16:

The PSNI should review the available data and policy framework relevant to punishment attacks and consider what further measures are required to protect persons from such attacks. In particular, the PSNI should consider the particular vulnerability of children and young people and develop a strategy for addressing attacks on children and young people. The PSNI should report to the Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee within 3 months of the publication of this Human Rights Annual Report on the progress made and thereafter within 12 months of the publication of this report on the final strategy.