Latest news with #JonBoutcher
The Journal
8 hours ago
- The Journal
PSNI officer dismissed for sending racist, sectarian, and antisemitic WhatsApp messages
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago A PSNI OFFICER has been dismissed for sending WhatsApp messages which contained material that was sectarian, racist, homophobic, antisemitic, misogynistic and sexualised. A complainant contacted Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions. The Police Ombudsman received the complaint about the police officer in July 2023. Nikki Davis, Director of Investigations with the Police Ombudsman's Office, said that a digital analysis of the officer's phone showed that he had sent multiple images and videos, 'which were highly inappropriate and offensive, to the complainant, other members of the public and other police officers'. Davis said that this was not a 'one-off, isolated incident, which could potentially be attributed to a lapse in judgement'. 'It was sustained, consistent behaviour, exacerbated by the police officer's view, when interviewed by our investigators, that he did not consider the material to be offensive or his actions to be in breach of the PSNI Code of Ethics,' said Davis. She added that some of the messages 'combined sexual, racist and sectarian references' which moved it 'into the realm of online gender-based hate speech'. 'For a police officer to display these attitudes and behaviours towards women, is unacceptable, and specifically undermines the PSNI's commitment to ending violence against women and girls,' said Davis. She added that that case demonstrates that allegations of misconduct will be 'robustly investigated and that officers will be held to account'. Advertisement Following the conclusion of the Police Ombudsman investigation, a file was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in relation to the potential offences of Misconduct in Public Office and sending grossly offensive messages contrary to the Communications Act. The PPS directed no prosecution. A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI Professional Standards Department and after a special hearing held by the Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, the officer was dismissed. The officer was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI Code of Ethics and was deemed to have acted 'in a way that is likely to bring discredit upon the Police Service'. He also breached equality and integrity articles within the PSNI's code of ethics. Meanwhile, eight officers who received the messages were referred to the PSNI for potential breaches of the code of ethics for failing to report or challenge them. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the 'robust actions show that we will not tolerate this damaging and unprofessional behaviour – there is no excuse'. He said the 'messages repeatedly shared by this former constable were shocking, wholly inappropriate and discriminatory'. He added that officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were subject to management action. He added that a further three officers were dismissed without notice in recent months in similar circumstances following 'wholly inappropriate material being shared amongst groups'. 'If the public is to have confidence that we will police without prejudice and fairly, it is essential that just as we pursue perpetrators in our communities, we are as committed to rooting out those that may be in our own ranks,' said Boutcher. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Leader Live
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Police chief voices hope of agreement on dealing with legacy of NI's Troubles
Jon Boutcher was speaking following a commemoration to remember three musicians from the Miami Showband who were killed in a loyalist ambush close to Newry 50 years ago. Mr Boutcher was among a crowd who visited a memorial on the Buskhill Road on Thursday afternoon to remember Fran O'Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy. Those gathered included Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 Omagh bomb, and Eugene Reavey, whose brothers Anthony, John Martin and Brian were shot dead in an attack at their family home in Co Armagh in January 1976. Mr Boutcher told media: 'There are still so many uncertainties for so many people, and that's not right. 'Everybody knows my position on legacy, I think transparency and openness are critical. The report that I did on Operation Kenova reflects that, and I am very alive to and aware of national security issues. I have been involved with those all of my professional career, I know them better than anybody in policing, so you can do both. 'I think we may be close to coming to a position, and certainly I hope we are, where there will be a new agreement around what the future of legacy looks like, and I'm keen to hear the fruits of the recent talks between the two governments.' He added: 'We have now got to get legacy right. 'At the time that a lot of these cases occurred, half the community didn't trust police or security forces, which I understand. 'The volume of things that were happening, the murders, the attacks, meant that the security forces couldn't deal with them. There was then without doubt failures within a number of those investigations. We have now got to put that right.' Mr Boutcher said he had been invited to attend the commemoration by Miami Showband survivors Des Lee and Stephen Travers. 'I'd consider them to be people who have inspired me, helped me understand legacy here,' he said. 'I've spent a significant amount of time with both men and they have taught me a lot, and asked me if I would be here, and they are the example of what humility, courage and actually what this word reconciliation is all about. 'I'm here because it is the very least I could do, to be here.' Mr Lee paid tribute to Mr Boutcher as he spoke during the event as a special person he would like to thank. 'He is a gentleman who has helped me quite a lot in the past, he's now the leader of the PSNI and he is here with us today to commemorate the 50th anniversary,' he said.
Rhyl Journal
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Police chief voices hope of agreement on dealing with legacy of NI's Troubles
Jon Boutcher was speaking following a commemoration to remember three musicians from the Miami Showband who were killed in a loyalist ambush close to Newry 50 years ago. Mr Boutcher was among a crowd who visited a memorial on the Buskhill Road on Thursday afternoon to remember Fran O'Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy. Those gathered included Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 Omagh bomb, and Eugene Reavey, whose brothers Anthony, John Martin and Brian were shot dead in an attack at their family home in Co Armagh in January 1976. Mr Boutcher told media: 'There are still so many uncertainties for so many people, and that's not right. 'Everybody knows my position on legacy, I think transparency and openness are critical. The report that I did on Operation Kenova reflects that, and I am very alive to and aware of national security issues. I have been involved with those all of my professional career, I know them better than anybody in policing, so you can do both. 'I think we may be close to coming to a position, and certainly I hope we are, where there will be a new agreement around what the future of legacy looks like, and I'm keen to hear the fruits of the recent talks between the two governments.' He added: 'We have now got to get legacy right. 'At the time that a lot of these cases occurred, half the community didn't trust police or security forces, which I understand. 'The volume of things that were happening, the murders, the attacks, meant that the security forces couldn't deal with them. There was then without doubt failures within a number of those investigations. We have now got to put that right.' Mr Boutcher said he had been invited to attend the commemoration by Miami Showband survivors Des Lee and Stephen Travers. 'I'd consider them to be people who have inspired me, helped me understand legacy here,' he said. 'I've spent a significant amount of time with both men and they have taught me a lot, and asked me if I would be here, and they are the example of what humility, courage and actually what this word reconciliation is all about. 'I'm here because it is the very least I could do, to be here.' Mr Lee paid tribute to Mr Boutcher as he spoke during the event as a special person he would like to thank. 'He is a gentleman who has helped me quite a lot in the past, he's now the leader of the PSNI and he is here with us today to commemorate the 50th anniversary,' he said.
South Wales Guardian
12 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Police chief voices hope of agreement on dealing with legacy of NI's Troubles
Jon Boutcher was speaking following a commemoration to remember three musicians from the Miami Showband who were killed in a loyalist ambush close to Newry 50 years ago. Mr Boutcher was among a crowd who visited a memorial on the Buskhill Road on Thursday afternoon to remember Fran O'Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy. Those gathered included Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 Omagh bomb, and Eugene Reavey, whose brothers Anthony, John Martin and Brian were shot dead in an attack at their family home in Co Armagh in January 1976. Mr Boutcher told media: 'There are still so many uncertainties for so many people, and that's not right. 'Everybody knows my position on legacy, I think transparency and openness are critical. The report that I did on Operation Kenova reflects that, and I am very alive to and aware of national security issues. I have been involved with those all of my professional career, I know them better than anybody in policing, so you can do both. 'I think we may be close to coming to a position, and certainly I hope we are, where there will be a new agreement around what the future of legacy looks like, and I'm keen to hear the fruits of the recent talks between the two governments.' He added: 'We have now got to get legacy right. 'At the time that a lot of these cases occurred, half the community didn't trust police or security forces, which I understand. 'The volume of things that were happening, the murders, the attacks, meant that the security forces couldn't deal with them. There was then without doubt failures within a number of those investigations. We have now got to put that right.' Mr Boutcher said he had been invited to attend the commemoration by Miami Showband survivors Des Lee and Stephen Travers. 'I'd consider them to be people who have inspired me, helped me understand legacy here,' he said. 'I've spent a significant amount of time with both men and they have taught me a lot, and asked me if I would be here, and they are the example of what humility, courage and actually what this word reconciliation is all about. 'I'm here because it is the very least I could do, to be here.' Mr Lee paid tribute to Mr Boutcher as he spoke during the event as a special person he would like to thank. 'He is a gentleman who has helped me quite a lot in the past, he's now the leader of the PSNI and he is here with us today to commemorate the 50th anniversary,' he said.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police chief voices hope of agreement on dealing with legacy of NI's Troubles
Northern Ireland's chief constable has expressed hope for a new agreement on how to deal with the legacy of the region's troubled past. Jon Boutcher was speaking following a commemoration to remember three musicians from the Miami Showband who were killed in a loyalist ambush close to Newry 50 years ago. Mr Boutcher was among a crowd who visited a memorial on the Buskhill Road on Thursday afternoon to remember Fran O'Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy. Those gathered included Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 Omagh bomb, and Eugene Reavey, whose brothers Anthony, John Martin and Brian were shot dead in an attack at their family home in Co Armagh in January 1976. Mr Boutcher told media: 'There are still so many uncertainties for so many people, and that's not right. 'Everybody knows my position on legacy, I think transparency and openness are critical. The report that I did on Operation Kenova reflects that, and I am very alive to and aware of national security issues. I have been involved with those all of my professional career, I know them better than anybody in policing, so you can do both. 'I think we may be close to coming to a position, and certainly I hope we are, where there will be a new agreement around what the future of legacy looks like, and I'm keen to hear the fruits of the recent talks between the two governments.' He added: 'We have now got to get legacy right. 'At the time that a lot of these cases occurred, half the community didn't trust police or security forces, which I understand. 'The volume of things that were happening, the murders, the attacks, meant that the security forces couldn't deal with them. There was then without doubt failures within a number of those investigations. We have now got to put that right.' Mr Boutcher said he had been invited to attend the commemoration by Miami Showband survivors Des Lee and Stephen Travers. 'I'd consider them to be people who have inspired me, helped me understand legacy here,' he said. 'I've spent a significant amount of time with both men and they have taught me a lot, and asked me if I would be here, and they are the example of what humility, courage and actually what this word reconciliation is all about. 'I'm here because it is the very least I could do, to be here.' Mr Lee paid tribute to Mr Boutcher as he spoke during the event as a special person he would like to thank. 'He is a gentleman who has helped me quite a lot in the past, he's now the leader of the PSNI and he is here with us today to commemorate the 50th anniversary,' he said.
