PSNI officer dismissed for sexual relationship during investigation

A Police Service of Northern Ireland officer has been dismissed after a Police Ombudsman investigation found he engaged in a "catalogue of corruption," including initiating a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman he met during a criminal investigation, failing to disclose multiple conflicts of interest, attempting to falsify evidence, and intimidating a former partner. The officer, referred to as Police Officer B, is the seventh PSNI officer to be dismissed following investigations into abuse of position for sexual purposes since 2020.

The case stemmed from assault allegations made by two women against each other towards the end of 2018. Police Officer B was asked to take a statement from one woman, referred to as Woman B. However, the Ombudsman found he had previously been in a sexual relationship with the other woman, Woman A, who was involved in the same investigation, and had remained in social contact with her. He did not disclose this conflict of interest. Within 24 hours of meeting Woman B to take her statement, the officer contacted her through social media and began a sexual relationship with her. The pair later moved in together and had a child before their...