The Impact of assaults
Our community
In an under resourced police service every person counts and we want to ensure that our officers are available to respond effectively to all calls for service.
Following an attack on a fellow officer this year, Neighbourhood Inspector for South Belfast, Róisín Brown said:
“At a time when the police service is already stretched, this means that there is one less neighbourhood officer available to the community in South Belfast. Assaults on our officers are completely unacceptable, and have lasting impacts physically and psychologically. Protecting the community we serve is important to us and injuries like this are not just part of the job.”
Due to resources and funding pressures, Neighbourhood Police Officers are often deployed to backfill local policing teams.
If assaulted on duty they may be unable to perform their proactive policing role, in engaging with the community on crime prevention or road and community safety.
A Local Police Team Officer injured on duty may be unable to respond to calls for service or conduct follow up enquiries in the community.
A Tactical Support Group officer performing a public order role, injured on duty may be unable to perform their role in protecting our community from ongoing public disorder.
Every injured police officer regardless of role, is one less officer to help in your community.
the victim
Policing in Northern Ireland is a job like no other and our officers join the service to protect the community. It is not part of the job to be kicked, head-butted, spat on, or punched. All assaults, regardless of severity have an impact, not only on the victim, but their colleagues and families, resulting in time off work to recover from physical and mental injuries. Our officers are themselves fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters and the impact that these assaults can have on their family life can be devastating.
Sergeant Mark Young spoke about an assault he suffered on duty:
‘‘I was subjected to a vicious attack from a detained person while working as custody sergeant. I was punched head over 14 times, kneed to the head twice and had to be seen by Ambulance staff as a result. My colleague, a female detention officer, was also badly injured – she was punched straight to the head with force.
These types of assaults are all too common and although we are trained to deal with these situations, it doesn’t take away from the pain and trauma that you experience from an attack like this.
After this assault I had to go home to my wife and my children, who were extremely shocked and upset seeing my injuries. It continues to worry them when dad goes to work that this could happen again.
This incident took place over Mothering Sunday, so I had to go and see my mother with these injuries …. it does have an impact on your whole family.’’
