A surge in investigations into police officers alleged to have abused their authority for sexual purposes has been reported with a record number of cases coming to light. The Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) had 19 active cases as of July 2024, and this number has since escalated to 24, indicating a growing issue within the force. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has initiated a crackdown on officers who misappropriate their powers, aiming to address and rectify the misconduct.
In a recent report by the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI), concerns were raised about the delay in resolving complaints of malpractice involving police officers, with investigations taking an average of 17 months to conclude. The report emphasized the need for prompt and efficient consequences for officer misconduct. Often, officers are suspended with full pay during investigations, leading to prolonged and unresolved cases. Jacqui Durkin from the CJI stressed the importance of minimizing delays in the investigative process to ensure timely actions are taken.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton from the PSNI reiterated the zero-tolerance approach towards the abuse of position by police officers or staff members, labeling such behavior as unacceptable and intolerable. He highlighted the issuance of a statement of intent last year, emphasizing the strict enforcement against those who misuse their authority within the force. Singleton pledged continued collaboration with OPONI and other criminal justice partners to combat such misconduct. OPONI’s Director of investigations, Nikki Davis, expressed approval of the report’s recommendation for legislative changes to expedite cases, noting that six officers have been convicted or dismissed for abusing their position for sexual purposes since 2020 as a result of OPONI investigations
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