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ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE IN NORTHERN

01 January 1991

ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE IN NORTHERN
IRELAND refdoc August=1991

JOURNAL ARTICLE , User Ref = 009629 , Acc Date = 01-Oct-86
R Weitzer , University of California Berkeley
Police Stud, Summer 1986 9(2) pp99-109

A critical analysis of the police complaints procedures operating
in respect of the Royal Ulster Constabulary which suggests that
it is deficient in several ways. Investigation of complaints is
monopolised by the police and, as a result, the system does not
command widespread public confidence because of the low level of
substantiated complaints. The Catholic community has a
particularly low opinion of investigation procedures and of
police accountability. The system also fails to take account of
the problems raised by paramilitary policing in general because
of its restriction to complaints against specific officers.
Comments on the difficulties of introducing consultative public
bodies as a means of improving relationships with the police
because of the danger that they might be taken over by sectarian
interests. 57 notes and references .

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