Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma said:
“It is deeply concerning that police predatory behaviour now accounts for 30% of PONI’s most serious investigations and the ‘Abuse of Position for Sexual Purposes (APSP) by PSNI Officers: Analysis and Emerging Findings’ will be a focus of discussion with the Chief Constable at the Board meeting this week (5 March).
The Chief Constable has made it clear to the organisation that there will be zero tolerance of police officers or police staff who abuse their position or powers, and following a 2025 report by the Criminal Justice Inspector, a series of actions have been reported to the Board on work undertaken to strengthen internal policies, vetting and resourcing of professional standards. However, legislative amendment is also needed to enable swifter disciplinary action to be taken by the PSNI.
The Board is currently finalising a revised Code of Ethics for the PSNI which makes it explicitly clear that police officers shall not establish or continue a sexual or improper relationship with any victim, witness, suspect, detained person or defendant arising from their duties.
Abuse of power is deeply damaging to public confidence in policing and as a Board, we encourage anyone who has been subject to abuse of power by a serving or former officer to contact the office of the Police Ombudsman and make a report.”
Ends