The Police Ombudsman's Office said "We go where the evidence takes us" as it briefed members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) on the latest data about use of force complaints.

In a presentation to the Board's Performance Committee, Director of Impact, Jennifer Lamont, outlined that members of the public made 350 allegations of assault or serious assault during 2025–2026.

She emphasised that only three issues of concern had been identified from 148 allegations investigated to date, while a further 58 allegations remain under investigation.

Jennifer Lamont, the Office's Director of Impact, said: "The complaints we receive have to be viewed in the context of the number of times the PSNI used force in the same period which was almost 23,000 instances.

"Our data demonstrates that in the vast majority of cases we do not find evidence of misconduct or criminality in allegations of use of force by police officers. "However, we go where the evidence takes us. When our investigations do find issues which indicate an excessive or disproportionate use of force, we will make the appropriate recommendation either to the PPS or to the PSNI. It is then for those bodies to assess that evidence and decide whether there is sufficient grounds for a prosecution in a criminal case or whether disciplinary sanctions should apply."

To illustrate the potential harm of excessive force, the Committee viewed an extract of body-worn video from the case of a former police officer who was convicted in 2024 for Grievous Bodily Harm.

The Office also highlighted instances where force was deemed proportionate, including an assessment in July that police actions during public disorder in June did not warrant investigation, and a May incident in Downpatrick in which an officer discharged a firearm, which similarly did not proceed to investigation.

"These examples, together with others, such as the widely publicised case of a young autistic woman who was removed from a shop by police officers and where we found no misconduct, should reassure police officers that any allegation concerning use of force will be investigated independently and fairly."

The Police Ombudsman's Office is conducting an in-depth analysis of complaints about use of force and oppressive behaviour to determine whether any thematic or systemic issues can support improvement.