NWP Becomes First Force To Receive The Restorative Service Quality Mark
North Wales Police has become the first police force in England and Wales to be awarded the Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM)
The news comes part way through International Restorative Justice Week and recognises North Wales Police’s commitment to providing a safe and high quality restorative practice.
Restorative Justice is a voluntary process which brings victims and offenders together to discuss how each has been affected. It is proven to have a positive effect on the behaviour of the criminal by making them more accountable for their actions.
To succeed this has to be a safe process which is carefully monitored to ensure a positive outcome for the victim and offender.
Jon Collins, the Restorative Justice Council’s chief executive, said: “I would like to congratulate North Wales Police for successfully completing the RSQM. This achievement is proof of its commitment to offering the highest standards of restorative justice.”
The RSQM is a badge of quality that guarantees that a service provides safe, high quality restorative practice which meets the six Restorative Service Standards. North Wales Police joins other RSQM awardees – in sectors ranging from criminal justice through education to care – delivering high quality restorative processes.
Although some departments of other forces have received the award North Wales is the first to receive it as a whole force.
Superintendent Jane Banham said: “Holding the RSQM is a celebration of the hard work undertaken by North Wales Poilice officers and I am extremely pleased that the level of service we provide has been formally recognised by an independent body. The RSQM provides the public with the confidence that NWP are providing a quality service in restorative justice practice.”
Elaine Roberts, Restorative Justice Development Officer, North Wales Police, said: “I was immensely proud and felt a huge sense of achievement both for North Wales Police and on a personal level when we achieved the RSQM.
“Although North Wales Police already had procedures in place to ensure the safety and quality of restorative justice, completing the RSQM gave us the opportunity to consider what could to be updated and strengthened. We can also now to display to the public that our processes has been subjected to the scrutiny of an independent body.
“We were supported every step of the way both by the RJC and the external assessor and I would encourage any other organisations considering the RSQM to go for it!”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones congratulated the force on its award.
He said: “Strengthening the restorative justice scheme in North Wales was one of my manifesto promises before I was elected. I made it a priority issue immediately I took office and restorative justice will feature prominently in my Police and Crime Plan.
“I would therefore like to congratulate North Wales Police for becoming the first police force in England and Wales to be awarded the Restorative Service Quality Mark.
“Having spent 30 years in the police force, I came to realise that locking people up and throwing the key away doesn’t work. When people come out of prison, they still reoffend. While there will always be a need to incarcerate serious criminals who pose a risk to society, we need to think outside the box and look at different ways of dealing with offenders. It’s also very expensive to take people to court and imprison them and I think there are easier ways of reducing reoffending and reduce crime at the same time.
“Restorative justice can cut a cycle of crime. People start committing low level offences and things can escalate out of control unless you nip it in the bud. It’s better for everybody concerned because there’ll be fewer crimes so there’ll be fewer victims, and it reduces the cost not only on the force but ultimately on society as well.”
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