Investigation of abuse of position concerns and complaints by the Office of the Police Ombudsman

Inspection findings

Inspectors found that Police Ombudsman’s Office lacked a formal definition of abuse of position.  This affected case identification and tracking, which meant opportunities for further learning and awareness raising from their response and to increase public awareness of how such cases were handled were being missed. 

This CJI inspection report found a concerning rise in allegations of police abuse of position for sexual purposes.  As of July 2024, the Police Ombudsman’s Office had 19 active investigation cases of abuse of position for sexual purposes, the highest recorded number to date.

Inspectors found that case progression was being impacted by low staffing numbers within Investigation Teams in the Police Ombudsman’s Office., While the Inspection Team recognised and welcomed the ongoing efforts to recruit staff, they recommended the development of a workforce strategy, action plan and delivery timeframe to determine current staffing needs and to plan effectively to meet future staff requirements. The development of a Learning and Development Strategy and action plan to support targeted staff training plans would also be beneficial.

The inspection report revealed that between January 2022 and July 2024, the Police Ombudsman’s Office identified seven alleged victims of abuse of position for sexual purposes that were known to the PSNI but had not been referred by them to the Police Ombudsman’s Office for investigation.  Inspectors recommended the reason for this disparity in data needed to be understood and urged the PSNI’s Professional Standards Department to work with the Police Ombudsman’s Office to address the inconsistency.  The PSNI should review and amend its guidance for Police Officers and staff on maintaining professional boundaries between the police and members of the public, so all cases of abuse of position for a sexual purpose will be referred by them to the Police Ombudsman’s Office and recent learning in this area is captured.

Recommendations for improvement

Inspectors identified opportunities for improvement and have made five strategic and six operational recommendations.  If implemented, these recommendations and associated actions will further strengthen the response of the Police Ombudsman’s Office, the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland in tackling abuse of position allegations, concerns and complaints effectively and promptly.

Minimising delays in Police Ombudsman’s Office investigations is crucial, as prolonged cases can attract significant public criticism, particularly when Police Officers or staff are suspended on full pay or placed on adjusted duties while an investigation or criminal proceedings are ongoing.

The Department of Justice should progress legislation to enable swifter disciplinary action to be taken by the PSNI if and when appropriate. The PSNI should also acquire enhanced resources to address delays in progressing internal disciplinary proceedings.

Expanding the Victim Charter rights and obligations would be beneficial to ensure that all victims of crime, including those who report offences to the Police Ombudsman’s Office, receive guaranteed entitlements and have access to improved victim support.

Conclusion

The majority of Police Officers and staff of the PSNI uphold their professional standards, act with integrity and serve the public with dedication on a daily basis often in challenging circumstances.  However, those who choose to abuse their position must understand that such behaviour has no place in Northern Ireland’s policing and will lead to appropriate and timely consequences.

Independent, effective and prompt investigation and decision-making on abuse of position allegations are vital and by implementing CJI’s recommendations, greater accountability, swifter case progression and an increased commitment to improving policing in Northern Ireland can be achieved.