§ Mr. Gowto ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland will come into being; and who are the members of the commission.
§ Mr. Tom KingI am glad to announce that the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland comes into being today. The membership of the commission is as follows:
Chairman
Mr. James GrewDeputy Chairman
Mrs. Romayne CarswellDeputy Chairman
Mr. Brian GarrettMembers
- Mr. James Gardner
- Mrs. Denise Kennedy
- Mr. Kevin Murnaghan
- Mr. Brian Reid
- Mrs. Brenda Shiel
The new commission which is being established under the Police (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 reforms the police complaints system in Northern Ireland. The commission will have extensive supervisory powers in relation to complaints against members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The commission will be required to supervise any case involving death or serious injury and will have the power to supervise the formal investigation of any other complaint against the Royal Ulster Constabulary if it so wishes.
An effective complaints system which has the confidence of the community can make a significant contribution towards strengthening the relationship between the public and the RUC. In this way the police will be better placed to combat terrorism and to maintain the rule of law.
I believe that the new commission will make a material contribution to strengthening good relations between the RUC and the whole community in Northern Ireland.
I should also like to express my appreciation of the very valuable work done by the outgoing Police Complaints Board.