18/05/2016
Police Officers Disciplined Over Treatment Of Two Brothers
Four police officers have been disciplined over the way they dealt with two brothers they wrongly suspected of theft, the Police Ombudsman has concluded.
They were also disciplined for failing to report an abusive remark made by an officer, over an incident which happened in June last year in Co Armagh.
The officer was recorded on a mobile phone making an abusive and insulting remark to one of the men, who they suspected of having left a Chinese takeaway without paying.
He later denied making the comment, and three other officers identified as having been in the same room at the time, denied having heard it.
However, when the audio recording was played back, the officer who made the remark accepted that it was him, but said he had no memory of saying it.
The men were known to police, and seven officers went to the address given concerns that the situation might become violent.
The three officers who denied having heard the remark said they were dealing with the other brother at the time, and would have reported the use of such language to a supervisor if they had been aware of it. None of the officers recorded the comment in their notebooks.
The Police Ombudsman investigator said: "Either they heard the remark and failed to record it, or they failed to pay sufficient attention to a heated discussion in the same room which had the potential to jeopardise safety."
All three have since been disciplined, as well as the officer who made the comment.
(CD)
They were also disciplined for failing to report an abusive remark made by an officer, over an incident which happened in June last year in Co Armagh.
The officer was recorded on a mobile phone making an abusive and insulting remark to one of the men, who they suspected of having left a Chinese takeaway without paying.
He later denied making the comment, and three other officers identified as having been in the same room at the time, denied having heard it.
However, when the audio recording was played back, the officer who made the remark accepted that it was him, but said he had no memory of saying it.
The men were known to police, and seven officers went to the address given concerns that the situation might become violent.
The three officers who denied having heard the remark said they were dealing with the other brother at the time, and would have reported the use of such language to a supervisor if they had been aware of it. None of the officers recorded the comment in their notebooks.
The Police Ombudsman investigator said: "Either they heard the remark and failed to record it, or they failed to pay sufficient attention to a heated discussion in the same room which had the potential to jeopardise safety."
All three have since been disciplined, as well as the officer who made the comment.
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 February 2024
Measles Outbreaks 'Likely' Without Uptake In MMR Vaccinations
Northern Ireland's Deputy Chief Medical Officer has warned that outbreaks of measles are "likely" without action to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine.
Measles Outbreaks 'Likely' Without Uptake In MMR Vaccinations
Northern Ireland's Deputy Chief Medical Officer has warned that outbreaks of measles are "likely" without action to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine.
22 February 2024
Man Arrested In Connection With 1992 Police Officer Murder
A 59-year-old man has been arrested at Birmingham Airport in connection with a fatal mortar attack in Newry in 1992. The man was arrested on Wednesday, 21 February by detectives from PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in 1992.
Man Arrested In Connection With 1992 Police Officer Murder
A 59-year-old man has been arrested at Birmingham Airport in connection with a fatal mortar attack in Newry in 1992. The man was arrested on Wednesday, 21 February by detectives from PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in 1992.
14 December 2018
Police Disciplined Over Coleraine Pub Fight
PSNI failings compromised an investigation into off-duty police officers involved in a fight with members of the public, the Police Ombudsman has found.
Police Disciplined Over Coleraine Pub Fight
PSNI failings compromised an investigation into off-duty police officers involved in a fight with members of the public, the Police Ombudsman has found.
14 February 2024
Former City Centre Police Station To Become New 74-Bedroom Hotel
A former police station in Belfast city centre is to be redeveloped for a new 74-bedroom hotel. Belfast City Council's Planning Committee approved the development on Queen Street, along with granting Listed Building Consent to bring the building into use again.
Former City Centre Police Station To Become New 74-Bedroom Hotel
A former police station in Belfast city centre is to be redeveloped for a new 74-bedroom hotel. Belfast City Council's Planning Committee approved the development on Queen Street, along with granting Listed Building Consent to bring the building into use again.
26 January 2024
Man Seriously Injured In Collision With Police Car
A man, aged in his 50s, has suffered serious leg injuries following a collision with a police car in east Belfast in the early hours of this morning, Friday 26 January. Shortly after 5.
Man Seriously Injured In Collision With Police Car
A man, aged in his 50s, has suffered serious leg injuries following a collision with a police car in east Belfast in the early hours of this morning, Friday 26 January. Shortly after 5.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.