A Police Ombudsman review into the PSNI's use of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs), commonly known as baton rounds, during public disorder incidents in June has concluded that police commanders exercised "considerable restraint" in their application of force.

Police recorded 32 AEP deployments across five dates to manage the disorder, with each instance subsequently undergoing assessment by Police Ombudsman investigators.

Hugh Hume, Chief Executive of the Police Ombudsman's Office, detailed the rigorous process involved in the review. "Assessing the police use of force in response to the disorder required extensive work, including the review of more than 100 pieces of body worn video, amounting to more than 20 hours of footage," he stated.

Mr Hume affirmed the police command's approach: "It is clear from this evidence that police commanders did not authorise any use of force until all other options had been exhausted. In the face of sustained and significant violence, which resulted in multiple police officers being injured, police showed considerable restraint and a consistent, proportionate response."

While focusing on the recent events, Mr Hume underscored that every 'use of force' case is evaluated individually. He pointed to two recent convictions of police officers as evidence that those who misuse their powers will be held to account. Last month, the Police Ombudsman's office also confirmed there were no grounds to open an investigation into firearm discharges by officers during a separate incident in Bangor.

Recent Prosecutions Highlight Accountability

The Ombudsman cited two recent cases demonstrating the commitment to accountability: • In April 2025, a former police officer, Andrew Forde, had his conviction for common assault upheld on appeal. This stemmed from an unwarranted use of PAVA spray – an irritant similar to pepper spray – during an arrest at a Coalisland filling station. Body worn video captured Forde, who also had his baton drawn, spraying the man without warning before handcuffing him. Forde was prosecuted following the Police Ombudsman's investigation.

• In 2024, former Police Constable David Dumican was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a man during an incident in Lurgan in June 2018. Dumican had struck the man on the head with a police baton with such force that the victim required emergency medical treatment and was placed into an induced coma. Dumican received a 15-month suspended sentence for his actions.

Mr Hume elaborated on the dual purpose of such investigations: "In many instances where we investigate use of force, we will identify appropriate responses and good practice on the part of police. However, these prosecutions show that, when the force used is incompatible with applicable standards and potentially criminal, we will not hesitate to pursue those cases."

He concluded: "These are examples of impartial, evidence-based investigation in action, which should provide reassurance to police officers that they can, and should, use force when it is appropriate and proportionate, while also contributing to building public confidence in policing."

Regarding the recent public disorder, the Police Ombudsman's Office received two complaints concerning the use of force. One complaint, alleging a member of the public was hit by AEPs, was closed after being found to be without foundation. A further complaint, in which a member of the public claims they were hit on the leg with a baton, remains open for investigation.