Speaking about the conduct of the officers, Board Vice Chair Mukesh Sharma said:
This investigation exposes a set of officer behaviours that are both shameful and sickening in equal measure.
These officers showed a callous disregard to people at their most vulnerable and breached the trust placed in them from those seeking help. Their actions are the antithesis of the professionalism that we rightly expect from police officers serving the community.
The Chief Constable has made it crystal clear that there is no room in the PSNI for any officer who behaves inappropriately, and we do have a robust Code of Ethics that governs police officer conduct. It is welcome that this investigation was initiated following a report by a concerned colleague and that there are mechanisms in place for officers and staff to do that.
As a Board we will discuss the Ombudsman’s findings with the Chief Constable, and any further actions now required as a result.
Ends