Menu
10/12/2015
Fortunate No-One Was Killed Due To Police Errors - Ombudsman
The Police Ombudsman said it was fortunate no-one was killed when mistakes made by the police led to a failure to identify and warn the target of an imminent bomb attack.
The bomb failed to go off and was found about an hour after police received information about the impending attack in 2014.
Police Ombudsman investigators found that after receiving the call, police failed to make proper enquiries, identified the wrong target and location and warned the wrong person.
The device was defused and was later confirmed to have been viable.
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said: "The outcome of this incident could have very much more serious. The targets of this attack were, in effect, failed by the police. I have recommended that police put in place, as a matter of urgency, measures to prevent a recurrence."
A warning phone call was received by an external organisation which then tried to contact police through established channels. They were unable to get through and the call was instead transferred to a lower ranking officer.
He made enquiries to identify the intended target and location for the attack, but Dr Maguire said an examination of police records and computer systems showed that these enquiries had been "inadequate".
As a result, the wrong target and location was identified and inaccurate information was passed to a police Duty Inspector.
When interviewed, the officer fully accepted that he had made errors while researching the phone call.
The investigation also established that the designated police phone number called by the external organisation had been temporarily unmanned at the time of the call.
Two supervisory officers later admitted that they had had failed to arrange proper cover to ensure the phone would be answered.
Dr Maguire recommended that the three officers involved be disciplined. They have each received disciplinary sanctions – although those imposed by the PSNI on the supervisory officers were at a lower level than that recommended by the Police Ombudsman.
(CD/LM)
The bomb failed to go off and was found about an hour after police received information about the impending attack in 2014.
Police Ombudsman investigators found that after receiving the call, police failed to make proper enquiries, identified the wrong target and location and warned the wrong person.
The device was defused and was later confirmed to have been viable.
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, said: "The outcome of this incident could have very much more serious. The targets of this attack were, in effect, failed by the police. I have recommended that police put in place, as a matter of urgency, measures to prevent a recurrence."
A warning phone call was received by an external organisation which then tried to contact police through established channels. They were unable to get through and the call was instead transferred to a lower ranking officer.
He made enquiries to identify the intended target and location for the attack, but Dr Maguire said an examination of police records and computer systems showed that these enquiries had been "inadequate".
As a result, the wrong target and location was identified and inaccurate information was passed to a police Duty Inspector.
When interviewed, the officer fully accepted that he had made errors while researching the phone call.
The investigation also established that the designated police phone number called by the external organisation had been temporarily unmanned at the time of the call.
Two supervisory officers later admitted that they had had failed to arrange proper cover to ensure the phone would be answered.
Dr Maguire recommended that the three officers involved be disciplined. They have each received disciplinary sanctions – although those imposed by the PSNI on the supervisory officers were at a lower level than that recommended by the Police Ombudsman.
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
21 April 2016
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
21 February 2014
Action Of Police Officer Who Used CS Spray On Teen Was 'Necessary'
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has said the action of a police officer who used CS spray on a 14 year old student while in college in L'Derry earlier this year was necessary. The incident happened on 7 January at a college in the Waterside area of the city.
Action Of Police Officer Who Used CS Spray On Teen Was 'Necessary'
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has said the action of a police officer who used CS spray on a 14 year old student while in college in L'Derry earlier this year was necessary. The incident happened on 7 January at a college in the Waterside area of the city.
27 May 2015
Two Police Officers Disciplined Over Report Of Indecent Approach To Children
Two police officers have been disciplined following a complaint about a police response to reports that a man had approached three young girls and asked them to touch him in east Belfast last year.
Two Police Officers Disciplined Over Report Of Indecent Approach To Children
Two police officers have been disciplined following a complaint about a police response to reports that a man had approached three young girls and asked them to touch him in east Belfast last year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
