Menu
26/09/2023
Police Officer Resigns After Reducing Vulnerable Man To Tears
A police officer has resigned after he reduced a vulnerable man to tears with "insulting, spiteful and deliberately provocative language".
The incident happened near Armagh city in March last year.
The Police Ombudsman, Mrs Marie Anderson, commended three probationary police officers for raising concerns.
The officers had been responding to a report of concern for the man's safety.
The man was recorded on police systems as having mental health problems, depression and other vulnerabilities.
The man told officers that he had suffered a number of seizures, felt very low and wanted to hurt himself.
However, when the officers tried to arrest him for his own safety a struggle ensued during which all four officers put him to the ground. He was subsequently taken to Craigavon Area Hospital for assessment.
When they returned to the police station afterwards, three of the officers reported concerns to their mentor, advising him that their colleague’s comments had brought the man to tears.
When his sergeant asked him about his conduct, he said the man had been difficult, had lashed out at police and had made multiple insulting comments. The sergeant deemed his response to have been "defensive and inadequate".
The sergeant then visited the man to apologise, and went back the following day after he advised that the officer should apologise in person. The man accepted the officer's apology.
After examining what had happened, a police inspector ordered that the officer's two year probationary period, which he was about to complete, would be extended by three months.
Police also advised the Police Ombudsman about the matter, and she decided to investigate the officer’s conduct.
When interviewed by Police Ombudsman investigators, the officer said he had lost his temper and felt ashamed for what he described as "a momentary lapse" in professionalism.
He maintained, however, that any force used against the man had been proportionate and necessary to stop him hurting himself. The officer subsequently resigned from the PSNI.
Mrs Anderson stated that she would have recommended disciplinary action if the officer had not left the PSNI.
She noted that his colleagues had not felt able to address his behaviour during the incident for fear of inflaming an already volatile situation.
"The officers were probationers at the time, and the way they addressed their colleague’s behaviour demonstrated integrity. They are to be commended for upholding and supporting the principles and requirements of the PSNI Code of Ethics," said Mrs Anderson.
The incident happened near Armagh city in March last year.
The Police Ombudsman, Mrs Marie Anderson, commended three probationary police officers for raising concerns.
The officers had been responding to a report of concern for the man's safety.
The man was recorded on police systems as having mental health problems, depression and other vulnerabilities.
The man told officers that he had suffered a number of seizures, felt very low and wanted to hurt himself.
However, when the officers tried to arrest him for his own safety a struggle ensued during which all four officers put him to the ground. He was subsequently taken to Craigavon Area Hospital for assessment.
When they returned to the police station afterwards, three of the officers reported concerns to their mentor, advising him that their colleague’s comments had brought the man to tears.
When his sergeant asked him about his conduct, he said the man had been difficult, had lashed out at police and had made multiple insulting comments. The sergeant deemed his response to have been "defensive and inadequate".
The sergeant then visited the man to apologise, and went back the following day after he advised that the officer should apologise in person. The man accepted the officer's apology.
After examining what had happened, a police inspector ordered that the officer's two year probationary period, which he was about to complete, would be extended by three months.
Police also advised the Police Ombudsman about the matter, and she decided to investigate the officer’s conduct.
When interviewed by Police Ombudsman investigators, the officer said he had lost his temper and felt ashamed for what he described as "a momentary lapse" in professionalism.
He maintained, however, that any force used against the man had been proportionate and necessary to stop him hurting himself. The officer subsequently resigned from the PSNI.
Mrs Anderson stated that she would have recommended disciplinary action if the officer had not left the PSNI.
She noted that his colleagues had not felt able to address his behaviour during the incident for fear of inflaming an already volatile situation.
"The officers were probationers at the time, and the way they addressed their colleague’s behaviour demonstrated integrity. They are to be commended for upholding and supporting the principles and requirements of the PSNI Code of Ethics," said Mrs Anderson.
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.
14 December 2018
Police Disciplined Over Coleraine Pub Fight
PSNI failings compromised an investigation into off-duty police officers involved in a fight with members of the public, the Police Ombudsman has found.
Police Disciplined Over Coleraine Pub Fight
PSNI failings compromised an investigation into off-duty police officers involved in a fight with members of the public, the Police Ombudsman has found.
27 June 2022
Two PSNI Officers Arrested In Corruption Investigation
Two PSNI officers have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office. According to reports, the officers were arrested in the greater Belfast area on Thursday 23 June by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Two PSNI Officers Arrested In Corruption Investigation
Two PSNI officers have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office. According to reports, the officers were arrested in the greater Belfast area on Thursday 23 June by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
31 August 2012
Four Men Arrested For Dissident Activity
Four men have been arrested in Newtownabbey on suspicion of dissident republican activity. PSNI officers detained the men on Thursday evening aged 30,35 and 46. They are being questioned in Antrim police station.
Four Men Arrested For Dissident Activity
Four men have been arrested in Newtownabbey on suspicion of dissident republican activity. PSNI officers detained the men on Thursday evening aged 30,35 and 46. They are being questioned in Antrim police station.
06 May 2021
'Investigative Failures' By Police Found Over Four Deaths
Significant operational and investigative failures by the police over the deaths of four people during severe disorder in Belfast in August 1969 have been found, according to the Police Ombudsman.
'Investigative Failures' By Police Found Over Four Deaths
Significant operational and investigative failures by the police over the deaths of four people during severe disorder in Belfast in August 1969 have been found, according to the Police Ombudsman.
-
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.
