‘Let’s keep perspective over detention powers’
A senior police officer has said it is important to “keep perspective” in the coronavirus outbreak after Chief Constable Simon Byrne suggested those unwilling to self-isolate could be detained.
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said the PSNI is in discussions with Government officials on what measures may be necessary to tackle an outbreak in Northern Ireland.
It comes after the Chief Constable called for powers of detention available to police in England and Wales to be extended to Northern Ireland. Yesterday Ch Supt Donaldson said: “It is important to make preparations but it also important to maintain perspective in the face of this challenge.
“While we are not anticipating a worst-case scenario, we are preparing for it, as the community would want us to do. Any action undertaken by police in response to Covid-19 will be in line with our legal responsibilities and will be used to protect life and keep our communities safe.”
Emergency powers proposed by the Prime Minister would allow police to “compulsorily detain affected people” who are unwilling to quarantine themselves to stop them spreading the virus.
The Chief Constable had told a Policing Board meeting on Thursday: “We don’t yet have that power so we’re in a dialogue with the Department of Justice to see if that can be replicated here in case we need to use it.”
Ch Supt Donaldson added: “We are working with our partners across Government to support the response to Covid-19 Coronavirus. This is a rapidly developing situation and we continue to take a lead from the Government and our Public Health partners.
“In answering a number of questions on Covid-19 at the Policing Board yesterday, the Chief Constable talked about powers available to police officers in England and Wales that could be used if required to support public health agencies reduce the spread of Covid-19.
“Similar powers are currently not available in Northern Ireland. Discussions are ongoing with the Government officials in relation to what may be required of policing in Northern Ireland.”
Former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said the powers may be necessary as there will be some people “who heed sensible advice and some who will not”. He cited the example of someone suspected of having coronavirus attempting to force their way into a hospital to see an ill relative.
“Police need the powers to help health professionals in those sorts of circumstances,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show. “It has to be done in the context of, yes the rights of that individual, but also in terms of the rights of other people who could be intensely vulnerable and could be infected by this individual and maybe even get to the point where in a very few cases where they could get very ill or die.”