BEVERLY Simpson has become the first Black woman elected to the post of vice-chair of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).
Ms Simpson will support Ulster Unionist Councillor Darren Guy who has accepted the role of PCSP chair for 2026/27.
Originally from Guyana in South America, Beverly Simpson has called Northern Ireland home for over 20 years. While a nurse by occupation, she is also the North West Migrants Forum’s Policy and Strategic Planning Advisor as well as being a Unison activist.
Speaking following her appointment as vice-chair of the local PCSP, Beverly said she wanted to thank her fellow board members for their vote of confidence in her.
“It has been an absolute privilege to be selected to serve as vice-chair this year,” she told the North West Migrants Forum.
“It is important for Black and brown people to be seen in spaces they have never occupied before. Crime, anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, these issues impact all communities and it is time to view crime without the lens of race.
“Black and brown people have always been uneasy around the policing sector and this is an opportunity to build and establish a different relationship, one built on mutual respect for each other.
“My hope is to create positive role models for our young generation, to create spaces they can see themselves in in the future.
“If we want integrated communities then we must represent everyone within our society,” Ms Simpson added.
Set up in 2012, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships have a range of duties which include:
- Consulting and Engaging with their local communities on issues of concern in relation to policing and community safety. Each PCSP has a policing committee responsible for providing community views to the relevant district commander and the Policing Board on policing matters;
- Identifying and Prioritising issues and preparing plans for how these can be tackled at a community level;
- Monitoring the performance of the police and working to gain the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime; and
- Delivering a reduction in crime and enhancing community safety in each district, directly through interventions, through the work of delivery groups or through support for the work of others.
Welcoming the appointment of both Darren Guy and Beverly Simpson, Derry and Strabane PCSP Manager Vanessa Russell said, “Alderman Darren Guy and Beverly Simpson bring real energy and commitment to these roles and we couldn’t be happier to have them leading the PCSP this year. Their experience will be a huge asset as we push forward on our priorities. Most importantly, we’re confident they’ll keep local voices firmly at the centre of everything the PCSP does.”
