Justice Minister Launches Review of Northern Ireland Policing Board

Justice Minister Naomi Long is announcing a review of the Northern Ireland Policing Board will commence on Monday 16 September 2024.

Paul Sweeney, former Permanent Secretary in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has been appointed as Independent Reviewer. Dr John Topping, senior lecturer of Criminology at Queens University Belfast will act as the Independent Expert Advisor to the Independent Reviewer to inform the review process and outcomes.

The Minister said: “A review of the policing board was initially announced by the former chair of the Board, following a series of policing related incidents. However, it has always been my preference that an independent review be carried out and I thank Paul Sweeney and John Topping for agreeing to take it forward. I look forward to receiving the findings and recommendations of the review in due course.

“The review will be tightly focused and delivered in a timely manner to conclude by the end of December. It will primarily involve members and staff of the NI Policing Board, the PSNI and representative bodies, and the Department of Justice.”