Police trainers in Northern Ireland are ignoring human rights issues as they focus on teaching new officers to fight back against out-of-control attackers, a new report claims.
With no formal assessment on how fledgling constables perform during use-of-force lessons, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission evaluation called for a major audit of all PSNI learning sessions.
Mr Mark Kelly, the consultant who compiled the study, said: "The outstanding impediments to mainstreaming human rights which have been identified in this report merit close attention by the PSNI.
"They have taken some steps already. For example I note particularly effective use of problem-orientated material during the tactical patrolling and initial forearms courses. However, more action on the integration of human rights into the training is required urgently."
The study found trainers were placing a great deal of emphasis on teaching techniques for handling completely out-of-control assailants. Although it recognised officers have the right to defend themselves, the report insisted such interventions were rare and urged against emphasising the need to meet violence with violence.
Mr Joe Stewart, senior director of human resources at the PSNI, said the report demonstrated a clear commitment on the part of the service to mainstream human rights issues into training programmes.
PA