PSNI To Support Improvements To Misconduct Processes

The PSNI supports any changes that would make their misconduct processes more efficient, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton has said.

DCC Singleton was responding to a Police Ombudsman report on a four year delay in dismissing an officer following the conclusion of an investigation into misconduct.

Hugh Hume, Chief Executive of the Police Ombudsman, criticised the current legislation, stating that it leads to "frustrating and unacceptable delays" in holding police officers to account. Responding to the report, DCC Singleton said: 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland is continuing to engage with the Department of Justice, the Office of the Police Ombudsman and the Public Prosecution Service to ensure that police misconduct matters are dealt with as efficiently as possible. We would support any change that makes misconduct processes more efficient but crucially any changes must maintain fairness and continue to ensure justice is served. A more efficient misconduct regime is, we believe, in everyone's interest including those subject to misconduct investigations.

Overall a more efficient misconduct regime would better fulfil the threefold purposes of the police misconduct regime:

• To maintain public confidence in, and the reputation of, the police service

• To uphold high standards in policing and deter misconduct and

• To protect the public."

Under the current legislation, in certain cases, after consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, Police Service of Northern Ireland can commence misconduct proceedings in advance of the conclusion of criminal proceedings. This is not currently possible for Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland led investigations.