PSNI officers fired over 'utterly despicable' behaviour

Two PSNI officers have been dismissed for what a police oversight body has described as "utterly despicable" behaviour towards vulnerable people they had been sent to help.

Police Officer A took videos and pictures of people who were drunk, had reported crimes, or were considered at risk of self-harm, without their knowledge and shared them.

In total, 18 people had images taken in places like homes, hospitals and police vehicles.

Some were then shared on WhatsApp accompanied with sexualised and demeaning commentary.

In one case a woman with complex needs was videoed by the officer in her bedroom during which highly inappropriate sexual comments were made.

"Almost all of the people affected by these actions were vulnerable, some extremely so," said Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin.

"They should have been treated with compassion and empathy. Instead, they were treated with nothing short of contempt."

'Horrifying' behaviour

The PSNI said their officers' behaviour had been "horrifying" and would appall other members of the service.

"The conduct of the small number of former officers involved in these matters does not reflect the professionalism, dedication and commitment demonstrated by officers and staff across the Police Service every day," said Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton.

"However, this does not lessen the impact on those affected, or the seriousness with which the Police Service views these findings."

Police Officer B took photographs of two vulnerable women which he shared with Officer A along with sexualised and derogatory messages.

He also featured in the video recorded by Officer A in the bedroom of the woman with complex needs during which sexual comments were made.

When the woman in question told them she was recording what they were doing on her electronic tablet, they told her they were having the "craic", and told her to "lighten up".

'Trying to fit in'

A number of people who had been filmed without their knowledge were spoken to.

One woman said she had been at the lowest point of her life at the time and was angry about what had happened.

Another man said he felt he had been turned into a "laughing stock".

Officer B was dismissed following an investigation by Northern Ireland’s Police Ombudsman’s Office.

Officer A was sacked following an internal investigation by the PSNI.

The offending happened over a five-year period from 2016 to 2021.

Their behaviour first came to light during an investigation into an allegation that Officer A had abused his position for a sexual purpose by having a relationship with a woman he had met while on duty.

While that investigation did not result in any action, police found concerning material on his devices.

Misconduct files were sent to prosecutors who directed no prosecution.

The matter passed to the PSNI’s disciplinary branch who dismissed Officer B.

Officer A had already been dismissed so no further action could be taken against him.

Another officer who had received a video, but did not report it, was given a final written warning.

Officer B told investigators that he had been a junior officer and that Officer A was his "support officer" during his probation.

He said he had been "trying to fit in" and would not have acted how he did if he had not met Officer A.

The chair of Northern Ireland’s Policing Board Mukesh Sharma said the officers had shown a "callous disregard" for people at their most vulnerable.