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Belfast Telegraph
31-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI chief reveals officer sacked over 'offensive messages' is fourth dismissal in recent months
He also revealed that a further three officers have been dismissed without notice in recent months in similar circumstances after 'wholly inappropriate material' was shared amongst groups. The officer's dismissal followed an investigation by the Police Ombudsman. The texts, sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including when the officer was on duty, contained material that was sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised. The complainant contacted the Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions. Nikki Davis, director of investigations with the Police Ombudsman's Office, said it was 'sustained, consistent behaviour'. 'Digital analysis of the police 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,' she said. '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.' Eight officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI and have been subject to management action in relation to 'potential breaches' of the PSNI's Code of Ethics. News catch-up Thursday 31st July The Police Ombudsman's Office also found some of the material was an example of 'online gender-based hate speech'. 'When this kind of messaging specifically targets women and combines sexual, racist and sectarian references, it moves into the realm of online gender-based hate speech,' said Mrs Davis. '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.' A file was later sent to the Public Prosecution Service, which directed no prosecution. A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI professional standards department. The Chief Constable held a special hearing, after which the officer was dismissed. He was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI code of ethics. Mr Boutcher said the PSNI expects the 'highest standards of professionalism and integrity' from all of their officers. 'This matter was heard by myself in a Special Case Hearing and our robust actions show that we will not tolerate this damaging and unprofessional behaviour - there is no excuse. 'The messages repeatedly shared by this former constable were shocking, wholly inappropriate and discriminatory. The attitudes of sectarianism, racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism and misogyny within these messages have no place in policing. He added: 'Police officers exercise significant powers, and it is vital that there is an accountability framework for officers. If the public is to have confidence that we will police without prejudice and fairly, it is essential that just as we, as the Police Service, pursue perpetrators in our communities, we are as committed to rooting out those that may be in our own ranks.'
Sunday World
31-07-2025
- Sunday World
Cop sacked for sending ‘sectarian, racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic' messages
The complainant contacted the Police Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the PSNI code of ethics. Stock image A police officer has been dismissed for sending 'highly inappropriate and offensive' messages after a person who received them complained to the Police Ombudsman. The messages, sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including when the officer was on duty, contained material that was sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised. The complainant contacted the Police Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions. 'Digital analysis of the police 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,' said Nikki Davis, director of investigations with the Police Ombudsman's Office. '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.' Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the code of ethics. The Police Ombudsman's Office also found some of the material was an example of 'online gender-based hate speech'. 'When this kind of messaging specifically targets women and combines sexual, racist and sectarian references, it moves into the realm of online gender-based hate speech,' said Mrs Davis. '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. 'However, this case demonstrates that allegations of misconduct will be robustly investigated and that officers will be held to account, all of which contributes positively to public confidence in policing.' Following the conclusion of the Police Ombudsman investigation, a file was submitted to the PPS in relation to the potential offences of misconduct in public office and sending grossly offensive messages contrary to the Communications Act (2003). The PPS directed no prosecution. A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI professional standards department. The Chief Constable held a special hearing, after which the officer was dismissed. He was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI code of ethics, including those relating to: Professional duty where 'whether on or off duty, police officers shall not behave in a way that is likely to bring discredit upon the police service'; Equality where 'police officers shall act with fairness, self-control, tolerance and impartiality when carrying out their duties. They shall use appropriate language and behaviour in their dealings with members of the public, groups from within the public and their colleagues. They shall give equal respect to all individuals and their traditions, beliefs and lifestyles provided that such are compatible with the rule of law'; Integrity where 'police officers shall act with integrity towards members of the public and their colleagues so that confidence in the police service is secured and maintained. They shall avoid all forms of behaviour that may reasonably be perceived to be abuse, harassment, bullying or victimisation'. Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the PSNI code of ethics. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 31
Belfast Telegraph
31-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI officer sacked for sending ‘sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised' messages
The messages, sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including when the officer was on duty, contained material that was sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised. The complainant contacted the Police Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions. 'Digital analysis of the police 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,' said Nikki Davis, director of investigations with the Police Ombudsman's Office. '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.' Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the code of ethics. Service of removal for Maguiresbridge shooting victims takes place in Co Fermanagh The Police Ombudsman's Office also found some of the material was an example of 'online gender-based hate speech'. 'When this kind of messaging specifically targets women and combines sexual, racist and sectarian references, it moves into the realm of online gender-based hate speech,' said Mrs Davis. '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. 'However, this case demonstrates that allegations of misconduct will be robustly investigated and that officers will be held to account, all of which contributes positively to public confidence in policing.' Following the conclusion of the Police Ombudsman investigation, a file was submitted to the PPS in relation to the potential offences of misconduct in public office and sending grossly offensive messages contrary to the Communications Act (2003). The PPS directed no prosecution. A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI professional standards department. The Chief Constable held a special hearing, after which the officer was dismissed. He was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI code of ethics, including those relating to: Professional duty where 'whether on or off duty, police officers shall not behave in a way that is likely to bring discredit upon the police service'; Equality where 'police officers shall act with fairness, self-control, tolerance and impartiality when carrying out their duties. They shall use appropriate language and behaviour in their dealings with members of the public, groups from within the public and their colleagues. They shall give equal respect to all individuals and their traditions, beliefs and lifestyles provided that such are compatible with the rule of law'; Integrity where 'police officers shall act with integrity towards members of the public and their colleagues so that confidence in the police service is secured and maintained. They shall avoid all forms of behaviour that may reasonably be perceived to be abuse, harassment, bullying or victimisation'.
ITV News
01-07-2025
- ITV News
PSNI used 'considerable restraint' firing baton rounds during Northern Ireland riots
A review has found the PSNI showed 'considerable restraint' in their use of baton rounds during recent rioting in Northern Ireland. Chief executive of the Police Ombudsman's Office Hugh Hume said the PSNI used Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) 32 times on five dates to help control disorder. Violence erupted in Ballymena in June after the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, which was described by police as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Police also dealt with several nights of disorder in Londonderry, which Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described as 'blatant sectarian violence'. More than 80 police officers were injured in the violence across several locations. The PSNI use of AEPs, commonly known as baton rounds, has been criticised by some victims' organisations in Northern Ireland. Mr Hume said: 'Assessing the police use of force in response to the disorder required extensive work, including the review of more than 100 pieces of body worn video, amounting to more than 20 hours of footage. 'It is clear from this evidence that police commanders did not authorise any use of force until all other options had been exhausted. 'In the face of sustained and significant violence, which resulted in multiple police officers being injured, police showed considerable restraint and a consistent, proportionate response.' The Police Ombudsman received two complaints about use of force in the recent public disorder. One, which concerned a member of the public being hit by AEPs, was closed as being without foundation. A further complaint in which a member of the public alleges they were hit on the leg with a baton, remains open.
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Investigation into loyalist murder of Peter Gallagher 'wholly inadequate'
A police investigation into the murder of a man by loyalists in Belfast in 1993 was "wholly inadequate", the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has found. Peter Gallagher, a 44-year-old father of seven from Toomebridge in Co Antrim, was shot dead at an industrial park in west Belfast in March of that year. His family complained to the Police Ombudsman's Office about the thoroughness of the original murder investigation. Today, the ombudsman found that although 12 people should have been of interest to investigating detectives, none had been arrested. Marie Anderson said this was despite the fact that some were linked "by significant, and on occasion corroborative intelligence and other information". Mr Gallagher was shot dead by elements of the west Belfast Ulster Defence Association (UDA) based around the Shankill Road known as 'C Company'. Ms Anderson also criticised a decision to stand down surveillance on members of the gang even though at the time it had proven disruptive and the authorities knew attacks were being planned. The intelligence focus had been switched to the activities of the IRA. Within two days of surveillance being suspended, the UDA had murdered Mr Gallagher and 17-year-old Damien Walsh also in west Belfast. Ms Anderson said the decision to switch the surveillance focus ought to have been re-examined in light of the intelligence picture about the heightened risk of UDA attacks. "I am of the view that the failure to do so provided `C Company' greater opportunity to mount terrorist attacks on the nationalist community, culminating in the murders of Peter Gallagher and Damien Walsh," she said. However, the police ombudsman said she had found no intelligence, which if acted upon by police, would have prevented Mr Gallagher's murder. Neither was there any evidence that members of the security forces had provided information to loyalists to facilitate the attack. No one has ever been convicted for either murder. The ombudsman's report said the police investigation had zoned in on three principal suspects in respect of Mr Gallagher's murder. Ballistic tests revealed that a 9mm Browning pistol used to murder him had been amongst a batch smuggled into Northern Ireland from South Africa in December 1987. The police ombudsman said the investigations into the Gallagher and Walsh murders ought to have been linked and that the failure to do so had resulted in a "fragmented investigative approach" which had undermined both murder inquiries.
