It follows the first inspection into the running of Belfast Harbour Police and Belfast International Airport Constabulary by the Criminal Justice Inspector (CJI).
The inspection examined the day-to-day policing undertaken by the separately funded and operated police services.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, Jacqui Durkin said: “This was the first time CJI had inspected Belfast International Airport Constabulary and Inspectors were concerned by the lack of appropriate police experienced leadership as well as gaps in existing accountability arrangements and consistency in operational delivery and outcomes.
“We were also concerned by its existing rank structure which would benefit from review.”
Ms Durkin said: “We have had positive discussions with senior management at Belfast International Airport about the inspection findings and Inspection Report publication and I acknowledge their commitment to secure policing improvements that are needed in the short and longer term.
“I also welcome the development of an action plan by Belfast International Airport to underpin the implementation of the accepted inspection recommendations,” said the Chief Inspector.
Inspectors found that Belfast Harbour Police benefitted significantly from police experienced leadership and appropriate accountability and robust governance arrangements were in operation.
“Belfast Harbour Police was a trusted partner of the PSNI where a mutually beneficial, professional relationship had developed and was maintained,” the inspector reported.
“Belfast Harbour Police Officers also had access to appropriate information and continuous police training that ensured they had the knowledge and expertise to operate to national standards,” added Ms Durkin.
Belfast International Airport. A fundamental review of policing at Northern Ireland’s airports has been recommended (Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
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Inspectors found the development of a visible, neighbourhood-focused policing model within the Belfast Harbour Estate had been well received.
“While we welcome this positive relationship, Inspectors have recommended the policing priorities of the Belfast Harbour Police should be more aligned with those set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the PSNI,” she said.
The CJI also highlighted an area for improvement in the work of the Belfast Harbour Police’s Criminal Justice Unit, which has responsibility for the management of criminal incidents and follow-up activity.
“We consider Belfast Harbour Police would benefit from assessing the effectiveness of this model,” said the Chief Inspector.
The CJI recommended that a fundamental review of policing at Northern Ireland’s airports should be led by the PSNI in partnership with Belfast International Airport Constabulary and Belfast Harbour Police and completed in the next 18 months.
“The current restrictions and geographical limitations imposed on Belfast Harbour Police and Belfast International Airport Constabulary presents risks for officers and the public and inevitable consequences for the full and proper investigation of crime and the transportation of people under arrest to PSNI custody facilities. This needs to be addressed,” said the Chief Inspector.
Ms Durkin said: “Public confidence in policing is a shared responsibility, informed by all those who have and who use policing powers including in our airports and harbours.
“We must ensure quality policing standards and shared priorities across all police services, particularly around the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government ambitions for Safer Communities and Ending Violence against Women and Girls”.
Belfast Harbour Police Chief Officer Michael Daly responded to the report saying: “We are pleased that the CJI report recognises our commitment to good practice and highlights that Belfast Harbour Police benefits from experienced leadership, appropriate accountability and has robust governance arrangements in operation.
“We welcome CJI’s endorsement of our visible and engaged neighbourhood service, which is key to supporting the delivery of Belfast Harbour’s 2025-29 Strategy ‘Advance Regional Prosperity’ to deliver vibrant residential areas and enable 3500 new homes by 2035.
“This is further evidenced by our investments in a planned new police station at Clarendon Road.
“CJI’s analysis also praises our continued focus on training to ensure our officers have the expertise to operate to national standards and acknowledges that Belfast Harbour Police is a trusted partner of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and that a mutually beneficial and professional relationship is being maintained.
“While we take on board CJI’s recommendation that an overarching memorandum of understanding (MOU) should be agreed with the PSNI, to detail the roles and responsibilities of each police service, a number of existing MOUs are in place and we are clear that, where relevant to Belfast Harbour, our policing priorities are already closely aligned with those of the PSNI and national standards.
“As we implement our action plan to execute CJI’s recommendations, Belfast Harbour Police remains committed to working in partnership with all relevant bodies to continue to achieve the highest standards of policing for the benefit of everyone we serve.
“Our continued focus is on keeping the more than 20,000 people who work here safe and ensuring the security of the 760 businesses operating on Belfast Harbour Estate and the 24 million tonnes of trade that comes through the port each year.”