The Police Ombudsman's Office has launched a public consultation on 23 recommendations designed to modernise the police complaints system in Northern Ireland.

The proposals, part of a mandatory five-year legislative review, aim to align local oversight with standards used in the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.

Key recommendations include changing the status of the Police Ombudsman to an Officer of the Assembly. This move would mean the Office is accountable to the Assembly Audit Committee, with its budget allocated directly by the Assembly rather than through government departments.

Several proposals focus on the efficiency and discretion of investigations. The review suggests the Ombudsman should have the power to decide when an investigation is not practical or in the public interest—such as when a complainant fails to engage or when no investigative leads exist. It also proposes clear definitions for "vexatious, ill-founded, and oppressive complaints," giving the Office discretion to decline investigations in these specific instances.

To improve transparency, the review recommends new powers to:

• Publish reports on investigation outcomes when in the public interest. • Release details of disciplinary recommendations and sanctions to both complainants and the public, which is currently restricted.

• Use a 'fast-track procedure' for cases involving incontrovertible evidence of criminality or gross misconduct, allowing for quicker dismissals.

The review also seeks to expand the Ombudsman's remit to include whistleblowing, which would allow serving officers and civilian staff to report serious wrongdoing for independent investigation. Additionally, it suggests expanding the definition of sexual offences for police officers to include improper acts where the benefit sought is sexual in nature.

Alice McKelvey, Director of Legal and Information Services with the Police Ombudsman's Office, stated: "The overall objective of this review is to create a series of recommendations which align with international best practice and support our vision to be an effective, contemporary oversight body.

"The views of those in the public, community and voluntary sectors, as well as the perspectives of police officers, those who use our services and our staff are critical to informing any proposals for legislative change and I look forward to receiving feedback through this consultation process."

The consultation is open to the public until Friday 3 April 2026, with responses accepted via an online form.