11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

the Independent Commission. Admittedly there is administrative complexity to be resolvedincluding the difficulty of melding categories of existing police and civilian staff, observing the termsof contractual agreements protecting employee rights and benefits, and ensuring throughout theeffective support for operations. Still, civilianisation of police posts not requiring police powers orpolice skills and experience is an inviting efficiency measure and an opportunity to returnexperienced officers to front-line policing. The Policing Board will need unrelenting perseverance,as will the police service, to overcome the organisational inertia on this issue.On the issue of tenure, the original findings and recommendations of the IndependentCommission remain consistent with good human resource practices, as supported by internationalpolicing authorities, which also recognise accommodation to local circumstances.The minimalapplication solution currently applied by the Police Service is defensible in the short-run ongrounds of practicality, but it will be prudent for the Police Service and the Board to re-visit thisdecision in three to five years, when the demographic profile of the Service should be stabilised.Future Issues and Directions1. Failure by the Police Service to sustain the development of a devolved organisation meansforegoing the potential advantages of devolution, and failing to dismantle the bureaucratic andhierarchical practices that existed in the past. If not conceived and managed with care topreserve the benefits of delegation and devolution, implementing the organisational changesassociated with the RPA could result in the unravelling of much of the reforms achieved sincethe beginning of the oversight process.2.The interface between the Police Service and the Office of the Ombudsman will require carefulvigilance in the ensuing future. There is scarce experience elsewhere to guide this process, yetmuch depends on developing a cooperative working relationship between institutions, includingthe Police Federation.3.The Police Service has not pursued civilianisation in the vigorous style recommended by theIndependent Commission, although some limited progress was made. The Policing Plan 2007-2010 re-stated the goal, to be accomplished through rationalisation of the police staffcomplement, continuous improvement initiatives and improvements to the front line policemeasure.98