11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

policing in a peaceful societymisunderstandings and uncertainties that might remain. The June of 2004 general order “Policy ofDevolution” discusses the concept of devolved authority, but did not describe the discretion theDCU commanders would have to decide how best to balance their resources. With theestablishment of eight district command units (versus the current 29), the full implementation ofnew devolved authority to the local commanders needs to be fully and clearly implemented,including the authority to set shift work patterns and control the balance between experiencedand recruit police officers assigned to a police station (see also Recommendations 29, 44 and 76).During the April of 2007 visit, the oversight team was able to review documentation and conductinterviews that verified district commanders (Ards and Magherafelt, for example) were complyingwith the intent of Recommendation 54 by exercising their authority to consult with their localcommunity on how best to balance their police officers between static posts and mobile patrols.The sharing of control strategy for reducing the criminal damage, assaults and anti-social behaviourduring Halloween, Christmas/News Year, and St. Patrick’s Day with the members of the MagherafeltDPP is an excellent example of obtaining consultation from the community on the use of districtresources.Recommendation 55: Police Vehicles (Patrol Vehicles)Patten Recommendation:55. Police cars should continue to be substituted as patrol vehicles in place of armouredLandrovers, and the use of armoured Landrovers should be limited to threatening situations.Lead Responsibility: Chief Constable/Policing BoardRecommendation StatusCompliance with this recommendation has been achieved.HistoryAs noted in the following chart, the Police Service has made considerable progress replacing thelarge fleet of armoured Landrovers (ALRs) used in performing patrol duties and responding tocalls-for-service with regular police vehicles. ALRs are now limited to use in threatening or publicorder situations. As of April 2007, the number of ALRs assigned to DCUs for regular patrol dutieshad fallen by 30%. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in the use of liveriedsaloon vehicles or police cars as routine patrol vehicles.Number of ALRs Assigned for Use as Routine Patrol VehiclesApril April April April April2003 2004 2005 2006 2007113 77 77 66 6773