A police officer has been disciplined following an investigation by the Police Ombudsman into an arrest that took place in County Antrim in August 2023.

The probe was launched after a member of the public made several allegations regarding his treatment during the encounter.

While the complainant alleged he had been sexually assaulted and had his arm twisted, investigators found no evidence to support these specific claims after reviewing Body Worn Video (BWV) footage. The footage captured the interaction from the moment the individual was stopped on the street until he was placed in a police vehicle.

However, the BWV did reveal that the officer used derogatory and abusive language. During the arrest, the officer was recorded saying, "you punch like a fxxxxxx woman" and "you’re a fxxxxxx scumbag and you know it."

The Ombudsman determined that this behaviour constituted misconduct, citing a breach of the Police Code of Ethics concerning civility and professionalism. Consequently, the Professional Standards Department directed that the officer undergo Management Action designed to improve his future conduct. The investigation also highlighted failures in legal procedure and documentation. Although the officer claimed in his official duty statement that he had cautioned the man upon arrest, the video evidence proved that no caution was administered. This failure was noted as significant, as a caution is essential for ensuring a person understands their right to silence and the implications of any statements made.

The case was referred to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to consider a potential criminal charge of perjury regarding the inaccurate statement. However, the PPS directed no prosecution, citing insufficient evidence. The matter was instead dealt with as a breach of the Code of Ethics relating to accurate record keeping.

Martin McCaffrey, Senior Investigation Officer, commented on the findings: "Police officers are expected to maintain the highest standards in accordance with their Code of Practice when dealing with members of the public irrespective of the circumstances. They are also expected to follow proper procedures ensuring that members of the public are afford their rights when arrested."

He added: "Following an investigation by the Police Ombudsman’s Office the evidence showed that this officer failed to display the standards expected and he has been held to account for his conduct."