Two PSNI officers sacked over “utterly despicable” behavior towards vulnerable people
The watchdog says one officer recorded and took pictures of people in their homes, in hospitals, and in police vehicles.
Two PSNI officers have been sacked for gross misconduct after investigations uncovered what the watchdog's described as “utterly despicable” behaviour towards vulnerable people, who were recorded or photographed.
A probe found one officer recorded and took pictures of people in their homes, in hospitals, and in police vehicles.
The Ombudsman says in one incident a woman with learning difficulties was "demeaned for their own amusement" and was filmed in her bedroom, and then told to "lighten up" after an officer made a sexualised comment towards her.
Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkan says the officers showed no respect for people's privacy or dignity.
She said, “Particularly when you are engaging with vulnerable people, all of it is totally inappropriate and not within the PSNI’s code of ethics. There’s no place for police officers who indulge in that type of behaviour in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton has described the behaviour as “horrifying” and has said the PSNI takes misconduct cases "extremely seriously".
According to the Ombudsman, one officer (Police Officer B) was dismissed as a result of a watchdog probe, while the other officer (Police Officer A) was dismissed following a related internal investigation by the PSNI.
Detailing some of the investigation’s findings, the Ombudsman said, “Police Officer A recorded videos and took pictures of people who had requested police assistance, reported crimes, were intoxicated or considered at risk of self-harm.”
“The videos and images were captured in people’s homes, in hospitals and in police vehicles.Some were shared on WhatsApp, including by Police Officer A with a member of the public - often accompanied with sexualised, derogatory and demeaning commentary.”
“In total, 18 people were identified as having been referenced in messages, videos and photographs found on personal mobile phones belonging to Police Officer A, spanning a period between 2016 and 2021.”
“The second officer (Police Officer B) took photographs of two vulnerable women, which he then shared with Police Officer A along with messages which referred to the women in derogatory terms.”
“He also featured in a video recorded by Police Officer A in the bedroom of a woman with complex needs, during which comments of a highly inappropriate sexual nature were made.”
“Almost all of the people affected by these actions were vulnerable, some extremely so,” said Ms Durkin.
“They should have been treated with compassion and empathy. Instead, they were treated with nothing short of contempt.”
“These now former officers showed no respect for people’s privacy or dignity at their time of need and seriously undermined their trust and confidence in policing. One also shared a series of messages with a member of the public, showing scant regard for the confidentiality of police enquiries.”
“They were unworthy of the role of police officer and it is only right that they have been dismissed from the PSNI.”
Mr Singleton said, “It will shock and appall our officers and staff that any member of the public, needing our help, was treated in this cruel and dismissive way."
“The behaviour described by the ombudsman falls far below the standards the public is entitled to expect from police officers. It represented a serious breach of trust, particularly affecting people who were entitled to care, compassion and professional support at times of acute vulnerability."
“We take any cases of misconduct of this nature extremely seriously."
“This is reflected in the dismissals of two officers. It is essential for public confidence in policing that complaints of this nature are fully investigated by the Police Ombudsman and we fully engage with these processes.”