PSNI officers suspended for taking videos of vulnerable people

Two PSNI officers have been dismissed for "utterly despicable" behaviour towards people they were called to help.

One officer took videos and photographs of people who were drunk, had reported crimes, or were considered at risk of self-harm, without their knowledge and shared them on.

In total, 18 people had images taken in places like homes, hospitals and police vehicles.

Some were then shared on WhatsApp accompanied with sexualised and demeaning commentary.

In one case, a woman with complex needs was videoed by the officer in her bedroom during which highly inappropriate sexual comments were made about her.

"Almost all of the people affected by these actions were vulnerable, some extremely so," said Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin.

"They should have been treated with compassion and empathy. Instead, they were treated with nothing short of contempt."

The PSNI said their officers' behaviour had been "horrifying" and would appall other members of the service.

"The conduct of the small number of former officers involved in these matters does not reflect the professionalism, dedication and commitment demonstrated by officers and staff across the Police Service every day," said Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton.

"However, this does not lessen the impact on those affected, or the seriousness with which the Police Service views these findings."

A second officer took photographs of two vulnerable women which he shared with the first officer along with sexualised and derogatory messages.

He also featured in the video recorded by the first officer in the bedroom of the woman with complex needs during which sexual comments were made.

When the woman in the footage told them she was recording their behaviour, they told her they were having the "craic", and told her to "lighten up".

One woman who featured in the videos and photos said she had been at the lowest point of her life at the time and was angry about what had happened.

Another man said he felt he had been turned into a "laughing stock".

The second officer was dismissed following an investigation by Northern Ireland’s Police Ombudsman’s Office.

The first was sacked following an internal investigation by the PSNI.

The offending happened over a five-year period from 2016 to 2021.