By Tony O’Reilly-
An officer has been dismissed following an investigation by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, uncovering grave misconduct involving sexual exploitation of a vulnerable woman.
The incident, which unfolded at an industrial estate in Antrim in 2016, underscores the imperative of upholding integrity and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The investigation was sparked in 2019 when the victim, seeking assistance, dialled emergency services, revealing a distressing encounter with the officer while reporting a burglary.
Upon arriving at Antrim police station, she disclosed a disturbing sequence of events, recounting how the officer, entrusted with her safety, took advantage of her vulnerability, engaging in sexual activity while on duty.
Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson condemned the officer’s predatory behaviour, stressing that such actions have no place in policing.
The dismissal of the officer, following a rigorous inquiry, reflects a commitment to safeguarding the public and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism within law enforcement.
Ch Supt Stephen Wright, head of PSNI’s professional standards, echoed these sentiments, describing the officer’s conduct as “completely abhorrent” and a blatant breach of trust.
He emphasized the importance of holding officers accountable for their actions, particularly when they exploit their authority for personal gain.
The investigation uncovered a pattern of deception by the officer, who repeatedly lied about the nature of his interactions with the victim.
Despite mounting evidence of misconduct, including discrepancies in his statements and phone records linking him to the victim, the officer persisted in denying any wrongdoing.
Following exhaustive scrutiny by the Police Ombudsman’s office, the officer’s dismissal was upheld in December 2022, following an appeal hearing.
The findings of gross misconduct and breaches of the PSNI code of ethics underscored the severity of his actions and the necessity of decisive disciplinary measures.
Despite the challenges posed by the victim’s reluctance to come forward initially, the investigation diligently pursued all leads, ensuring a thorough and robust examination of the allegations.
Anderson emphasized the importance of empowering victims to report instances of abuse, pledging to rigorously investigate all such allegations to ensure justice is served.
Jon Burrows, a former head of the PSNI’s discipline branch, expressed alarm at the case, emphasizing the imperative of robust vetting procedures during recruitment to prevent similar incidents.
He emphasised the collective responsibility of both serving officers and the public to report concerning behaviour, facilitating swift action to address misconduct and maintain the integrity of the police service.