Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has expressed his strong support for the Police Ombudsman's investigation into a former police officer accused of serious sexual offences.

Emphasising that the officer in question left the service approximately 15 years ago, the Chief Constable stressed that the PSNI will provide every possible assistance to the inquiry.

In a call for transparency, the Chief Constable urged anyone with relevant information to contact the Ombudsman.

He stated: "It is essential for public confidence in policing that any and all lines of enquiry are fully investigated by the Police Ombudsman. This former officer left policing some 15 years ago but we must not be complacent, there is no place for such behaviours anywhere in society, moreover in policing. We are here to protect people, not breach their trust."

Addressing the gravity of the allegations, he added: "Any abuse of position for sexual purposes is wholly unacceptable. It represents a serious breach of trust and a violation of the high standards rightly expected of police officers." The Chief Constable highlighted extensive measures taken since 2011 to improve vetting, professional standards, and misconduct reporting. Following the high-profile crimes committed by Metropolitan police officers David Carrick and Wayne Couzens, the PSNI conducted 'Operation Roric'—a review of historical investigations involving 134 officers over a decade. A detailed update on this review is being provided to the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Policing Board, and the Police Ombudsman's Office.

Furthermore, an independent review by Rachel Langdale KC into sexism, misogyny, and the PSNI's response to Violence Against Women and Girls was commissioned to ensure internal accountability. The findings of the Langdale Review are expected to be released in April.

Recent data from a 2025 Workforce Inclusion Survey indicated that PSNI staff are significantly more likely to report inappropriate behaviour than their counterparts in England and Wales. The service has also issued a formal Statement of Action/Intent on Conduct and Standards and developed specific briefings for supervisors to identify the early warning signs of predatory behaviour.

Concluding his remarks, the Chief Constable noted: "The overwhelming majority of our officers and staff serve with integrity and dedication. Those officers and staff who will be more appalled by this recent announcement from the Ombudsman than anyone. This will hurt each one of our workforce who come into work every day to give their best and protect society. Whenever standards fall short, we will act decisively."