Confidence of Catholics in the PSNI has risen over the past year, according to a survey in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Policing Board said that almost 80 per cent of Catholics have total, a lot, or some confidence in the PSNI. The figure is up from 75 per cent in September of last year. The Protestant confidence level has remained the same at 80 per cent. However, public satisfaction the PSNI in their communities has slipped. While 52 per cent felt the police were doing a very, or fairly good job in their areas, this was down 5 per cent from the rating 18 months ago.
Public confidence in District Partnerships, which hold police commanders to account in local council areas, was high.
Sir Desmond Rea, chairman of the Policing Board, welcomed the confidence shown in the policy, but said it was still short of its 83 per cent target.
An independent survey suggests that both Protestants and Catholics are equally supportive of the Police Ombudsman.
In addition, more than four out of five people from both communities said they believed that police officers and complaints would be treated fairly.
The findings also show a marked increase in Protestant support compared with previous years.
Catholic confidence in the Office remains high, with 84 per cent believing that the Office helps police to do a good job.
However, only 73 per cent of Catholics believe the Office to be impartial, compared with 84 per cent two years ago.
More than 1,100 people took place in the survey conducted by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan said: “I am pleased that, according to these findings, the Police Ombudsman’s Office is providing a service which the majority of people in Northern Ireland recognize as independent, impartial and fair to both members of the public and police officers.”
A survey of police officers suggested that 85 per cent believe they have been treated fairly by the Office, while 98 per cent of the 400 surveyed officers said the Police Ombudsman investigators had been polite, 95 per cent said they had acted professionally, and 91per cent thought they were impartial.