11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

policing with the communityimprove. The extraction of most veteran Full Time Reserves (FTRs) out of NPTs resulted in ashort-term loss of continuity and expertise, but over the past year continuity of assignment ofofficers was satisfactorily maintained and the default restored. Most members of NeighbourhoodTeams are senior, experienced officers. There are Service Level Agreements between TrainingBranch and district commands establishing an understanding of undertakings and commitmentsbetween the parties, but training for neighbourhood policing is not currently active. Initially a beatofficer’s course was offered at the College, but resistance from the DCUs to centralised deliveryresulted in reduced attendance.The electronic problem-solving folder intended to assist team leaders and commanders inmanaging neighbourhood problems frustrated users with restrictive firewalls and burdensomerequirements for detail. A solution is now at hand, as result of close consultation betweenHeadquarters and DCU representatives. There is documented evidence of effective localproblem-solving, for example, for hate crime, underage drinking, criminal damage and youthscausing annoyance. Currently DCUs lack timely trend information on response times and othercommand and control systems that are essential to resource allocation and strategic planning.Hopefully a partial solution will be found through completion of the call handling project describedin further detail under Information Technology.There is a consensus among DPP members that while police reporting of crime statistics is anessential and meaningful contribution to their monitoring role, statistics only partially satisfy theirneeds in assessing the true state of crime and disorder impacting the community. All partiesconcede that the lack of standard, proven indicators of performance is a hindrance to effectivemanagement. Both police and DPPs agree that more effort should be expended towards theprevention of crime, and there was evidence of initiatives in this direction.Recommendation 46: Service in Neighbourhood Policing TeamsPatten Recommendation:46. Members of the policing team should serve at least three and preferably five years in thesame neighbourhood.They should wear their names clearly displayed on their uniforms, andtheir uniforms should also bear the name of the locality for which they are responsible.Lead Responsibility: Chief ConstableRecommendation StatusCompliance with this recommendation has been achieved.HistoryPostings for neighbourhood policing positions within DCUs include the requirement forcommitments of three to five years. Neighbourhood police officers display name and localityinformation on their uniforms.61