NCJ Number
61870
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES OF THE POLICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND ARE DESCRIBED, HIGHLIGHTING POLICE ACTION AGAINST TERRORISTS.
Abstract
VIGILANTE GROUPS, POLARIZATION BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS, AND LIMITED POLICE RESOURCES HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR POLICE TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH GHETTO COMMUNITIES, HAVE DISCOURAGED CITIZEN COOPERATION WITH THE POLICE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME, AND HAVE DESTROYED THE MORALE AND COHESION OF CITIZENS WHO DESIRE A SOCIAL ORDER IN WHICH VIOLENCE IS MINIMAL. THE PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF THE CURRENT STRATEGY OF SOCIAL CONTROL ARE THE RELIANCE ON POLICE FOR EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY RESISTANCE TO TERRORISM AND CRIME. FOUR LARGE REGIONAL CRIME SQUADS HAVE BEEN FORMED WITH A MANDATE TO DEAL EXCLUSIVELY WITH TERRORISM. THE WORK OF THE SQUADS IS ASSISTED AND DIRECTED BY A UNIFIED CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM. THE POLICE AND BRITISH ARMY SOLDIERS COOPERATE ON INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES, WITH BRITISH SOLDIERS PLAYING A SUPPORTIVE ROLE VIS-A-VIS THE POLICE. PARTICULAR OPERATIONS INVOLVE (1) SECURITY AUXILIARIES, ORGANIZATIONS OF CITIZENS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN RESISTING TERRORISM; (2) A POLICE RESERVE PAID ON AN HOURLY RATE; (3) A VOLUNTEER PART-TIME FORCE TRAINED AS SOLDIERS, WITH A CURRENT STRENGTH OF 8,000; (4) THE CIVILIAN SEARCH UNIT, WHICH PERFORMS SEARCH DUTIES MAINLY IN BELFAST AT THE CONTROLLED ENTRANCES OF PROTECTED SHOPPING AREAS AND OF VEHICLES ENTERING AND LEAVING FERRIES AT THE PORTS; (5) LOCAL SECURITY COMMITTEES COMPOSED OF POLICE OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS WHICH DEAL WITH CRIME AND TERRORISM IN SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES; AND (6) A CRIME PREVENTION PANEL RUN AT THE FORCE LEVEL AND ATTENDED BY PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. ALSO, A POLICE/PUBLIC DIALOGUE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, IN WHICH POLICE AND CITIZENS (PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS) MEET TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY PROBLEMS, TOGETHER WITH A YOUTH PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE DRAWN INTO TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. A POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BRANCH AIDS IN THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS AND GRIEVANCES. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)