Rev Norman Hamilton: The PSNI need to show great care in handling people who are acting within the spirit of the law

Not for the first time in recent months we are indebted to Sam McBride (April 18) for his forensic analysis of the use of power — this time on the interpretation by the PSNI of the current travel restrictions.
By Norman Hamilton
Published 21st Apr 2020, 09:11 BST
Updated 21st Apr 2020, 12:59 BST
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(The article can be read here: ‘PSNI’s made-up law ought to unsettle anyone who understands democracy’, April 18).

By definition these are emergency powers that impinge on the detail of normal everyday lives of ordinary citizens, and as such are not in practice subject to considered interpretation by the courts.

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This means that the police service and individual officers need to exercise great care and discretion in enforcement, since heavy handedness is what will be reported and remembered in the wider community.

A checkpoint on the A26 to the north coast on Good Friday. "The PSNI should exercise discretion in enforcement," says Rev Hamilton. Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley MultimediaA checkpoint on the A26 to the north coast on Good Friday. "The PSNI should exercise discretion in enforcement," says Rev Hamilton. Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
A checkpoint on the A26 to the north coast on Good Friday. "The PSNI should exercise discretion in enforcement," says Rev Hamilton. Pic Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

The recent discussions on radio and some PSNI Facebook posts (which were subsequently deleted) suggest poor briefing at local level by senior officers to their colleagues.

I have publicly stated my personal support for the PSNI, and still do so. However, their proper emphasis on policing with the community is publicly undermined if they allow a perception to develop that ordinary citizens going about their ordinary business are to be regarded as potential ordinary criminals needing to be apprehended for doing what most people would regard as being both within the spirit and the letter of the law.

(Very Rev Dr) Norman Hamilton OBE, Ballymena

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