During the past 30 months, a total of 78 officers have been reported to the PSNI’s Professional Standards Department (PSD) for allegations of domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape.
The number relates to officers who have been reported during the past two and a half years.
For cases reported in the past three years, it has taken the department an average of 194 days to bring them to conclusion.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher revealed the total cost of suspension in relation to the officers involved in these offences has been £1,600,135.
“All suspensions are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the officer’s suspension is still proportionate and necessary,” he added.
Read more
These statistics were published after independent Policing Board member Dr Kate Laverty asked for an update on the resolution of previously reported cases, relating to serving officers accused of domestic abuse and sexual abuse allegations.
In February, Dr Laverty had asked the Chief Constable to confirm how many officers in the PSNI have faced allegations of domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape in the 24 months prior, either through complaints to the PSD, to the Ombudsman, or through criminal proceedings in court.
A total of 51 officers were being investigated at that stage.
Mr Boutcher had then said that “where criminal offences are alleged, a criminal investigation is conducted, prior to potential misconduct proceedings being brought against the officer”.
Fourteen of those officers being investigated for the alleged offences were at that time suspended from duty.
Of those 51 officers, one had been dismissed from the PSNI and 30 cases were still ongoing.
As of Thursday, 13 of those 30 cases which the service advised were still ongoing, have since been concluded.
Mr Boutcher did not mention that any further officers had been dismissed.
The PSNI has been asked for further comment.
A spokesperson for Women’s Aid NI noted that an increase in reports of such offences to the PSD “reflects growing confidence among victims and survivors to come forward and share their experiences”.
“We welcome the PSNI’s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls through its 2022 action plan, which is a positive step toward providing meaningful support to victims and survivors,” the domestic abuse charity added.
“It is crucial that all allegations against serving police officers are taken seriously and that the PSNI responds robustly when victims and survivors report such incidents.”
Policing Board member and Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister said that the highest of standards within the police service is “critical” for public confidence in policing.
“If we are to have confidence in police tackling violence against women and girls, in particular domestic violence, then we need to be assured that the police service takes this seriously,” she said.
“I am glad that they are taking this seriously, but in terms of the actual figures, ideally that number would be zero.
“It’s obviously disappointing that there are any at all, and I have asked issues before about the vetting process of police officers.”
Currently, professional standards investigations into officers cannot begin until criminal investigations are concluded.
Ms McAllister noted that, “surely, out of all of those numbers, some of those can be dealt with before a criminal investigation is finalised”.
She said that the PSD will be up in front of the Policing Board in private session soon and that she will be raising questions regarding those issues there also.