TWO police officers have been sacked following “utterly despicable” behaviour towards vulnerable people who they had been tasked to assist as part of their duties.
Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin said that all the people affected by the two male officers’ actions were “vulnerable”.
“They should have been treated with compassion and empathy,” she added. “Instead, they were treated with nothing short of contempt”.
Both officers were dismissed from the PSNI after an investigation by the Police Ombudsman (Police Officer B) and following a related internal investigation by the PSNI (Police Officer A).
Police Officer A recorded videos and took pictures of people who had requested police assistance, reported crimes, were intoxicated or considered at risk of self-harm.
The videos and images were captured in people’s homes, in hospitals and in police vehicles.
Some images were shared on WhatsApp. In total, 18 people were identified as having been referenced in messages, videos and photographs found on personal mobile phones belonging to Police Officer A, spanning a period between 2016 and 2021.
The second officer (Police Officer B) took photographs of two vulnerable women, which he then shared with Police Officer A along with messages which referred to the women in derogatory terms. He also featured in a video recorded by Police Officer A in the bedroom of a woman with complex needs, during which comments of a highly inappropriate sexual nature were made.
Ms Durkin said: “These now former officers showed no respect for people’s privacy or dignity at their time of need and seriously undermined their trust and confidence in policing. One also shared a series of messages with a member of the public, showing scant regard for the confidentiality of police enquiries.
“They were unworthy of the role of police officer and it is only right that they have been dismissed from the PSNI.”
The officers’ behaviour first came to light during a Police Ombudsman investigation into an allegation that Police Officer A had abused his position for a sexual purpose by establishing a relationship with a woman he had met during the course of his duties.
Following enquiries, Police Officer A was subsequently arrested by Police Ombudsman investigators. His home and workplace were searched and electronic devices were seized for examination.
One of the most disturbing videos was recorded by Police Officer A in June 2021 and featured a woman with learning difficulties and mental health needs. Police Officer A and Police Officer B had been tasked to the woman’s home after a report of a concern for her safety.
The video shows the woman in bed in her nightwear, with Police Officer B standing at the foot of the bed. Police Officer A asked a highly inappropriate question using a slang term and apparently relating to the woman’s sex life, after which Police Officer B shouted a comment and invited her to repeat it.
The woman responded by holding up her electronic tablet and advising that she was recording the officers, after which the Police Officer A stated that they were having “craic” and told the woman to “lighten up".
When shown the video by Police Ombudsman investigators, the woman said she had been unaware that she was being filmed and felt “disgusted” by what had happened.
The same two officers had also been involved in an exchange of photos and messages on WhatsApp in November 2020. Police Officer B was at the time in the home of one of two women who had reported an assault and theft by a person known to them.
While speaking to the women, who were known to have vulnerabilities, he took photos of them and sent them to Police Officer A. The pictures were accompanied with messages, some of which were of a sexual nature and contained derogatory terms about both women.
When made aware of the messages, one of the women said the experience had strengthened her belief that police were “out to get” her. The other did not engage with Police Ombudsman investigators.
When interviewed, Police Officer B stated that he was a junior officer and pointed out that Police Officer A was his Probationary Support Officer. He said he was “trying to fit in” and would not have acted as he had if he had not met Police Officer A.
Photos, videos and messages relating to another 15 members of the public Police Officer A had encountered during his duties were found on his current personal mobile phone and a previous device. Five of the people were photographed or recorded while in hospital, despite clear signage discouraging such activity in clinical settings.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton welcomed the Police Ombudsman’s investigation into what he called the “horrifying behaviour demonstrated by these officers”.
“We take any cases of misconduct of this nature extremely seriously,” he added. “This is reflected in the dismissals of two officers. It is essential for public confidence in policing that complaints of this nature are fully investigated by the Police Ombudsman and we fully engage with these processes.
