A senior officer said that the new online system is “by no means a replacement” for the existing 101 phone service
The PSNI has launched a new ‘online portal’ that will allow crime victims to track each stage of an investigation.
The police service say victims will be able to track changes at key stages of an investigation in a move the PSNI believes will improve “communication and transparency between police and victims.
A senior officer said that the new online system is “by no means a replacement” for the existing 101 phone service but expressed hope it will reduce waiting times on the non-emergency phone line.
What is it
Known as the ‘ My PSNI Portal ‘, the PSNI say the new online service has been created to enable members of the public to keep up to date with progress on an investigation when someone have been a victim of crime, without having to call our non-emergency number. The new portal can found at this address
How to use it
To use the service a crime victim must first register for it. To register, members of the public can create an account and log in to use this service. The PSNI say this provides victims of crime with more choice in how they are kept up to date by police.
Using this system to request an update sends a message directly to the officer handling your case.
By registering for a My PSNI Portal account you can:
- Check the status of your report
- Request an update from the officer investigating your report
How do update requests work
This new service enables a victim to request an update about the status of their case from the investigating officer via the portal. The officer will then be prompted to provide a response in effect enabling the victim to ‘self-serve’ when requesting updates on crimes they have reported to police. When the investigating officer has completed their response the victim will receive a message via text or email to inform them that there is an update on the portal to review. Updates on the portal will include: confirmation that a report has been received; details of the investigating officer assigned to the case; details of any key updates throughout the investigation providing transparency and assurance that the case is being dealt with, and information to the victim that their case has been closed and if so, a reason why, including any outcomes or advice.
What do the PSNI say
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Anthony McNally said: “In line with the Chief Constable’s vision of a Police Service that is victim and community focused in meeting the needs of those we serve, the Police Service of Northern Ireland is delighted to today launch My PSNI Portal, improving how victims can choose to contact us and make use of the police services we now offer online. “Victims will be able to interact with officers on the online portal after they have reported a crime to us, and the portal will also enable them to access general advice and information on victim support, crime prevention and local information applicable to what they may be looking for. In addition, users are provided with information specific to their reported crime. “This online system is by no-means a replacement for phoning our 101 service, but will be an additional resource to help manage the demand of 101 calls and improve the service we provide through victims being able to receive updates online. In turn we hope to see a decrease in 101 abandonment rates and queue waiting times.” ACC McNally continued: “This is an exciting time and a significant step for PSNI’s Information Communication Services (ICS) department, enabling the teams to showcase their consistent efforts to drive digital transformation and improve choice for those who need to contact us.”
What does the Crime Victims Commissioner say
Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, Geraldine Hanna, said “Poor communication is one of the key criticisms I hear from victims about our criminal justice system and I commend the PSNI for actively trying to improve how they communicate with victims. “I don’t think it can be overstated just how important good communication and choice about how to receive information is to victims of crime. This portal is an additional tool that can bolster the PSNI’s ability to communicate effectively with victims. “Of course, for some victims, a phone call or a visit will still be necessary, but for many this portal will provide a timely and effective method to receive updates on their case.”
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