§ 9. Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Assembly in respect of policing. [25601]
§ Dr. John ReidI have not held any discussions with the NI Assembly on policing, which at present remains a reserved matter.
The policing situation in Northern Ireland is a tri-partite arrangement involving the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and myself under detailed provisions set out in the Police (NI) Act 2000.
As Secretary of State, I am responsible for setting the statutory framework for policing and the long-term objectives for policing in Northern Ireland. The Policing Board, which is made up of democratically elected Assembly Members chosen by three of the parties and independents appointed by myself, has responsibility for holding the police to account and for monitoring and evaluating the service provided. The Chief Constable is responsible for the operational direction and control of the police service in Northern Ireland.