22/07/2005
Complaints against PSNI fall – Police Ombudsman
The number of people in Northern Ireland who made complaints against police officers last year has fallen by nearly 100, the Police Ombudsman’s office has said.
According to statistics in the latest Annual Report published by the Office of the Police Ombudsman, more than 2,800 people complained about PSNI officers - a drop of 91 or 3% on the same period last year.
Of those who complained 47% of complaints were from the Protestant community, while 37% were from those who said they were Catholic.
Just under a quarter of all allegations against police were made in the Belfast area, with the Foyle, Lisburn, Ballymena and Craigavon District Command Units accounting for around 5% each.
The types of issues which members of the public complained about have continued to change in recent years. The single biggest category of complaint, allegations that police officers had failed to do their duty, represented 39% of complaints last year - an increase of 12% in the last three years.
Allegations of assault, intimidation or harassment, which used to be the main cause of complaint, represented 37% of complaints last year- a drop of 4% since 2002.
Of the 2,885 complaints the Office received last year, 1,590 were such that formal investigations into the allegations were initiated. In 720 cases, the person making the complaint agreed to try and deal with the matter through the Police Ombudsman’s Informal Resolution process. In another 450 cases, the complainant agreed to refer the matter back to the police.
(MB/GB)
According to statistics in the latest Annual Report published by the Office of the Police Ombudsman, more than 2,800 people complained about PSNI officers - a drop of 91 or 3% on the same period last year.
Of those who complained 47% of complaints were from the Protestant community, while 37% were from those who said they were Catholic.
Just under a quarter of all allegations against police were made in the Belfast area, with the Foyle, Lisburn, Ballymena and Craigavon District Command Units accounting for around 5% each.
The types of issues which members of the public complained about have continued to change in recent years. The single biggest category of complaint, allegations that police officers had failed to do their duty, represented 39% of complaints last year - an increase of 12% in the last three years.
Allegations of assault, intimidation or harassment, which used to be the main cause of complaint, represented 37% of complaints last year- a drop of 4% since 2002.
Of the 2,885 complaints the Office received last year, 1,590 were such that formal investigations into the allegations were initiated. In 720 cases, the person making the complaint agreed to try and deal with the matter through the Police Ombudsman’s Informal Resolution process. In another 450 cases, the complainant agreed to refer the matter back to the police.
(MB/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 July 2002
Police Ombudsman’s report laid before parliament
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid, has unveiled The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland’s first annual report before Parliament on Monday July 23. The report covers the Police Ombudsman office’s discharge of its functions during the first 17 months since it was established in November 2000.
Police Ombudsman’s report laid before parliament
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid, has unveiled The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland’s first annual report before Parliament on Monday July 23. The report covers the Police Ombudsman office’s discharge of its functions during the first 17 months since it was established in November 2000.
06 November 2007
Former Mountie Takes Over The Reins
A former ‘Mountie’ has today taken up his new, high profile job as the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Al Hutchinson, a former assistant commissioner with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police replaces Nuala O’Loan to become only the second person to serve in the controversial position.
Former Mountie Takes Over The Reins
A former ‘Mountie’ has today taken up his new, high profile job as the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Al Hutchinson, a former assistant commissioner with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police replaces Nuala O’Loan to become only the second person to serve in the controversial position.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
23 February 2024
One Year On Since Attempted Murder Of DCI John Caldwell
The PSNI will "continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible" for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said as he marked the first anniversary of the gun attack.
One Year On Since Attempted Murder Of DCI John Caldwell
The PSNI will "continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible" for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said as he marked the first anniversary of the gun attack.
20 March 2024
Belfast Man Handed Two-Year Stalking Protection Order
The PSNI have welcomed a two-year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) handed down to a 46-year-old Belfast man at Belfast Magistrates Court. The man had been found guilty of stalking and harassing his 50-year-old female ex-partner.
Belfast Man Handed Two-Year Stalking Protection Order
The PSNI have welcomed a two-year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) handed down to a 46-year-old Belfast man at Belfast Magistrates Court. The man had been found guilty of stalking and harassing his 50-year-old female ex-partner.