Nine Northern Ireland Police Officers Dismissed for Sexual and Domestic Misconduct

By Shreya

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) revealed last week that nine officers had been fired in 2022 for gross misconduct. they confirmed that are ongoing, and thirty suspended on suspicion of sexual misconduct.

The Northern Ireland Police said that there were ten misconduct hearings regarding sexual and domestic abuse; as a result, nine officers were dismissed. Five more hearings are scheduled in the next few months. The PSNI is also reviewing their handling of misconduct investigations over the last

Superintendent Claire McGuigan stated, "The purpose [of the review] is to identify any missed opportunities or areas for improvement." She added, "Just as we will pursue perpetrators of violence against women and girls in our communities, we are committed to rooting out those that may be in our ranks."

Following the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021, all UK police forces have been told to update their vetting processes for their staff. Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton of the PSNI stated at a board meeting in 2021, "All prospective student officers and all staff who enter the police service are subject to vetting before they join." He also stated, "we cannot afford any degree of complacency or business as usual."

Just a few months ago, the Northern Ireland police attempted to make reforms and take measures to improve the situation within the PSNI. In September 2022, it was stated that all Northern Irish police officers would receive specialist training in managing domestic abuse cases. They also stated that they would improve the quality of investigation files for incidents involving violence against women and girls. However, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without a specific strategy for sex education and teaching young people about consent and violence against women.

In November 2021, a civilian employee in the PSNI, Sinead McGrotty, revealed to the press how her allegations against Detective Constable Ronan Sharkie were 'not taken seriously' by the PSNI. McGrotty was subjected to inappropriate touching and comments over several years from Sharkie, which continued while she was pregnant. She had made 11 allegations against Sharkie, only one of which was passed to the disciplinary panel. She first reported him in 2012; the court case was finally settled in 2017, where the detective only received a fine of £250. Sharkie was still a serving police officer in the PSNI in 2021.

The PSNI was urged, by the Policing Board, to 'make better use of its powers to dismiss officers' and for disciplinary action to be taken more quickly. As the PSNI continues to investigate and act against misconduct within its ranks, it is crucial that they also address the systemic issues that allowed this misconduct to occur in the first place. Only by taking a comprehensive and holistic approach can the PSNI truly root out misconduct and restore the public's trust in their ability to serve and pro

By Jia