The Police Ombudsman has recommended that the PSNI hold misconduct meetings with four officers after an investigation uncovered degrading comments and the mishandling of evidence.

The investigation was launched a mobile phone, seized during an arrest, recorded hours of degrading and inappropriate comments made about the man and his partner while he was in police custody.

The incident occurred after the man was arrested at his home in December 2022. The man submitted a complaint after listening to the 16-hour audio recording, which captured officers referring to a suspected domestic violence victim as "mental," possibly suffering from "post-natal depression," and requiring hospitalisation.

Hugh Hume, Chief Executive for the office of the Police Ombudsman, said the comments reflected "attitudes and behaviours that are entirely unacceptable".

"It is particularly concerning that such degrading remarks were directed towards a woman reporting to be a victim of domestic abuse," Mr Hume added.

The recording also revealed concerning issues regarding the handling of the phone after it was seized. Police Ombudsman investigators found that the mobile phone had not been packaged, labelled, or stored in accordance with PSNI policy. The device had also been taken out of the police station while the complainant was in custody, with no clear record of its movements.

Mr Hume commented that this was "another case in which we identified that police officers failed to deal appropriately with an electronic device". The investigation further examined an allegation that an officer had encouraged a colleague to destroy the mobile phone out of fear it might be recording. Another officer was heard to respond, "what a way to get sacked". The officer who suggested damaging the phone was interviewed under criminal caution, but the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) directed that the officer would not be prosecuted.

Disciplinary Outcome

The Police Ombudsman recommended that the PSNI should hold misconduct meetings with all four officers involved. However, the PSNI's Professional Standards Department rejected this, opting instead to hold a misconduct meeting with one officer and offer advice to the other three.

The Police Ombudsman identified no misconduct in relation to the complainant's other allegations, which included unlawful arrest and that officers had falsified statements and caused damage to a laptop.

Detective Superintendent Julie Mullan, from the PSNI's Professional Standards Department, confirmed the service had received and acknowledged the report's findings.

"The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the public expect police officers to investigate incidents fully, fairly and professionally," Detective Superintendent Mullan said. "Where it is perceived that conduct falls short of these high standards, it is right that officers should face an impartial, thorough enquiry by the Police Ombudsman's office.

"As a result of the investigation, three police officers have been issued with advice to improve their conduct, while a fourth officer was subject to measures designed to improve performance.

"While in this instance the conduct of the officers fell short of the standards that we have set, it is not representative of the excellent work police officers carry out across Northern Ireland on a daily basis as we strive to keep people safe."