11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

public order policingHistoryThe NIO-sponsored report, entitled:“The Parades Commission and Public Processions 2002”, wasintended to review parade arrangements and considered a number of factors in respect to thisrecommendation and other parading issues (see also Recommendation 67). However, this reportwas silent on the recommendation that only trained and qualified personnel serve as parademarshals. In 2004 the NIO reported that 700 parade marshals had been trained over the previoustwo-year period using a training course provided by the College of Further Education inDungannon. An evaluation of marshal training has been completed with the results submitted tothe NIO and the Parades Commission.Recommendation 69: Public Order Equipment (Research Programmes)Patten Recommendation:69. An immediate and substantial investment should be made in a research programme to find anacceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternative to the Plastic Baton Round (PBR).Lead Responsibility: NIO/Policing Board/Chief ConstableRecommendation StatusCompliance with this recommendation has been achieved.HistoryThe NIO, in cooperation with the Police Service, has made a substantial research investment tofind an acceptable alternative to the plastic baton round (PBR). As a result, the research initiativehas established Northern Ireland as a leading international research authority on less-than-lethaltechnologies. The International Law Enforcement Forum, an organisation that brings together theinternational community of law enforcement practitioners to examine minimal force approachesto conflict resolution, focuses on the technologies, training requirements, and policy issuessurrounding less-than-lethal weapons, has come to rely on the leadership and advice of former andpresent Northern Ireland police and other officials who have led the way with this endeavour. Theparticipants in this research are to be commended for the thoroughness and comprehensivenessof their efforts.From 2001 to 2004, the NIO released four separate detailed technical reports entitled:“AResearch Programme into Alternative Policing Approaches towards the Management of Conflict”.This research was conducted by the NIO Steering Group in consultation with the Association ofChief Police Officers. It examined alternatives to the PBR currently in use by police services, andthe means by which the police might be equipped with a broader range of public orderequipment. These comprehensive research reports included an examination and assessment of thevehicle-mounted water cannon, the Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP), the Discriminating IrritantProjectile (DIP), the 12-gauge sock round, CS spray and the conductive energy device. Theresearch reports are available for public examination and can be located on the Northern IrelandOffice web page at: www.nio.gov.uk87