Menu
24/02/2017
Two PSNI Officers Who Failed To Investigate Alleged Assault Disciplined
Two PSNI officers who failed to properly investigate an alleged assault on a teenager by a nightclub doorman in Belfast city centre have been disciplined.
The teenager lodged a complaint last year, after learning that no one was to be prosecuted over the December 2014 incident.
He said he had been punched to the ground by a bouncer and sustained a broken wrist as he reached out to break his fall.
He added that the screen of his mobile phone had also been smashed, and that the device had been taken off him for a time by one of the doormen who he suspected of trying to delete a video recording of part of the altercation.
A Police Ombudsman investigation found that the officer appointed to investigate the incident failed to follow up on a series of investigative opportunities.
He did not take a statement from the teenager, and even after the statement was taken by another officer and sent to him, he failed to act on it.
He also failed to check for CCTV footage of the incident, did not seize the video footage recorded by the teenager, and did not secure medical evidence of the boy's injuries.
He also admitted failing to follow proper procedure by submitting a criminal injuries compensation form before the conclusion of the police investigation.
The form was also rendered inaccurate by a statement he submitted two days later, but he failed to advise the compensation agency that the form was wrong.
The Police Ombudsman investigator also found that the officer failed to provide proper updates to the teenager on the progress of the investigation.
He said: "The officer did effectively nothing to progress this case. He seemed to be under the misapprehension that everything should have been done by the PSNI's Case Progression Team (CPT).
"In actual fact, it was his role to provide evidence to the CPT to allow them to progress the investigation after its initial stages."
Another officer within the police Case Progression Team was also disciplined for a delay in reviewing the case, after he mistakenly believed it had been closed as a criminal injuries compensation form had been submitted.
However, the officer was found to have taken adequate steps review and progress the investigation once he realised his mistake.
Both officers have been disciplined by the PSNI.
The teenager lodged a complaint last year, after learning that no one was to be prosecuted over the December 2014 incident.
He said he had been punched to the ground by a bouncer and sustained a broken wrist as he reached out to break his fall.
He added that the screen of his mobile phone had also been smashed, and that the device had been taken off him for a time by one of the doormen who he suspected of trying to delete a video recording of part of the altercation.
A Police Ombudsman investigation found that the officer appointed to investigate the incident failed to follow up on a series of investigative opportunities.
He did not take a statement from the teenager, and even after the statement was taken by another officer and sent to him, he failed to act on it.
He also failed to check for CCTV footage of the incident, did not seize the video footage recorded by the teenager, and did not secure medical evidence of the boy's injuries.
He also admitted failing to follow proper procedure by submitting a criminal injuries compensation form before the conclusion of the police investigation.
The form was also rendered inaccurate by a statement he submitted two days later, but he failed to advise the compensation agency that the form was wrong.
The Police Ombudsman investigator also found that the officer failed to provide proper updates to the teenager on the progress of the investigation.
He said: "The officer did effectively nothing to progress this case. He seemed to be under the misapprehension that everything should have been done by the PSNI's Case Progression Team (CPT).
"In actual fact, it was his role to provide evidence to the CPT to allow them to progress the investigation after its initial stages."
Another officer within the police Case Progression Team was also disciplined for a delay in reviewing the case, after he mistakenly believed it had been closed as a criminal injuries compensation form had been submitted.
However, the officer was found to have taken adequate steps review and progress the investigation once he realised his mistake.
Both officers have been disciplined by the PSNI.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 November 2017
Officer Disciplined After Driver Escapes Punishment In Crash
A police officer has been disciplined after a driver escaped punishment for knocking down a pedestrian. The incident happened in L'Derry in December 2015.
Officer Disciplined After Driver Escapes Punishment In Crash
A police officer has been disciplined after a driver escaped punishment for knocking down a pedestrian. The incident happened in L'Derry in December 2015.
03 December 2015
Two Officers Disciplined For Failing To Fully Investigate Attack On Woman
Two police officers have been disciplined for failing to properly investigate an attack on a woman in L'Derry in 2014, following an investigation by the Police Ombudsman. The victim reported that a man had punched her in the face in an apparently unprovoked attack after she left a bar in the early hours of the morning.
Two Officers Disciplined For Failing To Fully Investigate Attack On Woman
Two police officers have been disciplined for failing to properly investigate an attack on a woman in L'Derry in 2014, following an investigation by the Police Ombudsman. The victim reported that a man had punched her in the face in an apparently unprovoked attack after she left a bar in the early hours of the morning.
21 November 2024
Man Dies After Bus Fall In Belfast
Detectives are investigating the death of an 80-year-old man who fell from a bus in Belfast. Police have said that they believe the man was travelling on a 2J Translink Metro bus service at around 11:15am on Friday, 08 November, when he suffered a fall as the bus travelled along Royal Avenue, near it's junction with North Street.
Man Dies After Bus Fall In Belfast
Detectives are investigating the death of an 80-year-old man who fell from a bus in Belfast. Police have said that they believe the man was travelling on a 2J Translink Metro bus service at around 11:15am on Friday, 08 November, when he suffered a fall as the bus travelled along Royal Avenue, near it's junction with North Street.
18 November 2024
Pedestrian Dies Following Road Traffic Collision Ikn West Belfast
A female pedestrian in her 70s has tragically died following a road traffic collision in west Belfast on Saturday, 9th November. The incident occurred on Hannahstown Hill shortly after 6:50pm when two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. Emergency services attended the scene, and the injured pedestrians were taken to hospital.
Pedestrian Dies Following Road Traffic Collision Ikn West Belfast
A female pedestrian in her 70s has tragically died following a road traffic collision in west Belfast on Saturday, 9th November. The incident occurred on Hannahstown Hill shortly after 6:50pm when two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. Emergency services attended the scene, and the injured pedestrians were taken to hospital.
04 May 2017
PSNI Officer Disciplined Over 'Appalling' Golf Club Assault
A police officer has been disciplined after conducting what the Police Ombudsman's Office has described as an "appalling" investigation into an alleged assault on a teenage girl. The girl reported that a man, whose daughter she had been fighting with, had struck her in the face with a golf club during an incident in north Down in late 2014.
PSNI Officer Disciplined Over 'Appalling' Golf Club Assault
A police officer has been disciplined after conducting what the Police Ombudsman's Office has described as an "appalling" investigation into an alleged assault on a teenage girl. The girl reported that a man, whose daughter she had been fighting with, had struck her in the face with a golf club during an incident in north Down in late 2014.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
