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Section 2:
STRUCTURES FOR THE FUTURE

Section 3:
BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP

Section 4:

Section 5:
THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY

Section 6:
COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF APPOINTMENT OF
THE POLICE AUTHORITY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Section 7:
CONCLUSION

ANNEXES

1. This White Paper focuses on reform of the overall administrative structure forpolicing in Northern Ireland, often called the tripartite structure because it restson the inter-relationship between the Secretary of State, the Chief Constableand the Police Authority, within which the police service operates. But thisstructure must be seen in context, and the Paper therefore also outlines someof the other major reforms to policing in Northern Ireland which are currentlyunder way. It offers proposals for the basis of future legislation. This legislationwould be informed by the forthcoming discussions on Policing in all partypolitical negotiations, to take place on an open agenda, and would be shapedto reflect any-Agreements which emerge.

2. In all these reforms, the Government seeks to build on thecommon groundwhich I believe exists on the sort of police service which is needed to meet the community's concerns and priorities. That service must be founded on fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality, consent, responsiveness, accountability and flexibility. The necessary legislation will also take account of the major review of Emergency legislation, the review of the police complaints process, and the Fundamental Review of policing, all of which are due to report by summer 1996. Additionally, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland recently conducted the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of community views on policing in Northern Ireland. The Report detailing the survey's findings was published on 26 March. and will be a further important contribution to the debate on policing.

3. The original impetus for reform of the tripartite structure was the need to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in policing, together with greater public accountability. That remains the central thrust of the proposals in this White Paper. However, it must also be considered in the light of the prevailing political and security environment.

4. Reform of the police service is an evolutionary process, and important positivechanges are already taking place. The Police and Magistrates' Courts Act,1994 made sweeping changes to policing structures in England and Wales (onwhich Northern lreland's system is modelled), and also in Scotland. It is essential Northern Ireland should not be neglected in this process of change, particularly as many of the reforms seek to involve the community more fully in the setting of the policing priorities for their own area, and therefore encourage increased openness and more effective accountability. My consultation document "Policing in the Community", published in March 1994, stimulated a major debate on the future arrangements for policing in Northern Ireland. This debate was given additional dimensions by the ceasefires called by the Provisional IRA and Combined Loyalist Military Command in the autumn of 1994. The Royal Ulster Constabulary adapted its operations during the ceasefires to the new and changed environment, and the Government is determined not to allow the breakdown in the Provisional IRA ceasefire to become a barrier to further progress

5. The Government therefore wishes now to set out its proposals for policing,based on certain fundamental principles of policing on which, I believe, thereis widespread agreement. The importance of the all party political negotiationswhich are due to begin on 10 June has led me to set no finite consultationperiod for comments on the White Paper. I reiterate that the legislation thatwould be needed would be informed by those negotiations and shaped by anyagreement which emerges. But I believe these proposals provide firmfoundations upon which to plan, and also that they will contribute to thebroader debate on policing to which we look forward.

6. Turning to the substance of the proposals, it is clear from the responses to"Policing in the Community", and the debate thereafter, that there aremisunderstandings about the scope and intent of the currently plannedreforms. I now set out, therefore, what these proposals could in essenceachieve. The tripartite structure would continue, as proposed in "Policing in theCommunity": it was overwhelmingly supported by the responses we received.The operational independence, impartiality and integrity of the police, and theirfreedom from partisan political control, would be reinforced. The PoliceAuthority's role would be strengthened, with improved arrangements forensuring both that the views of the community on policing are properlyrepresented in the police planning process, and that the Chief Constable is heldto account. The respective roles of Government, the Chief Constable and theAuthority will be clarified.

7. The Government's purpose in proposing the reforms detailed in this WhitePaper is to facilitate the provision of an efficient, effective, professional,impartial and responsive police service, accountable to the community througha strong, widely representative and open Police Authority. it is our belief thatthey would help to foster partnership between the community, the police andother agencies in tackling problems of crime and disorder. Such partnershipwould make a vital contribution to a stable and peaceful environment for allthe citizens of Northern Ireland, and its further development is very necessary.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland