Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland

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Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland provides an independent and impartial system for dealing w

04/08/2026

Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin today met with representatives of the Police Federation for NI, including Chairman Liam Kelly, and discussed a range of issues.

03/08/2026

Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin today met the Chief Constable John Boutcher for their first formal engagement since Jacqui's recent appointment.

31/07/2026

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (2 – 9 August 2026) will bring a large number of visitors to the centre of Belfast, including to Writers’ Square where our offices are located.

While we will be providing our normal service, there will be limited public access to our offices and we will be unable to receive complaints in person.

If you wish to make a complaint about police, the quickest and easiest way is via our online form: https://policeombudsman.egressforms.com/

You can email us at [email protected]

You can also call us on 028 9082 8600 (9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).

30/07/2026

Police Ombudsman investigators have today (Thursday 30 July 2026) arrested a serving PSNI officer on suspicion of misconduct in public office relating to alleged abuse of position for sexual purposes.

The arrest and search operation follows a Chief Constable referral which was made to the Police Ombudsman in May of this year.

23/07/2026

Our Information & Communications Unit has published the 2026/27 Quarter 1 Bulletin. It shows that between April 2026 and June 2026 there were 725 complaints, a 2% increase compared to the same period last year. https://www.policeombudsman.org/publications/quarterly-statistical-bulletin-2025-26-q1-1894abeda632fdc497be9022c425ce68

09/07/2026

Following extensive enquiries, the Police Ombudsman has confirmed that there are insufficient grounds to open an investigation into the discharge of a police firearm, but will submit a report to police to consider whether improvements are required.

Read more: https://www.policeombudsman.org/Downpatrick_firearm

08/07/2026

A police officer has been convicted of careless driving, and another has been acquitted of driving offences, following investigations by the Police Ombudsman’s Office.

Read more here: https://www.policeombudsman.org/driving_cases

07/07/2026

A Police Ombudsman review of the PSNI’s use of water cannon and ‘Attenuating Energy Projectiles’ (AEPs), commonly known as baton rounds, during public disorder in June has concluded that the use of force was proportionate.

Police used AEPs 20 times, along with water cannon, to help control disorder on the night of 10 June 2026. Body worn video footage of the incidents was subsequently assessed as proportionate by Police Ombudsman investigators.

AEPs were used 15 times in Glengormley and five times.

24/06/2026

Jacqui Durkin has been appointed as the new Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

The announcement was made today (24 June 2026) by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Hugh Hume, Chief Executive of the Police Ombudsman’s Office said:

“The appointment of a new Police Ombudsman to lead the Office is welcome news and together with all the staff, I look forward to working with Jacqui and to supporting her to achieve her vision and priorities throughout her term.”

Ms Durkin becomes the fifth Police Ombudsman and succeeds Marie Anderson who retired from the role in December 2025.

23/06/2026

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has recommended an officer be subject to performance procedures after he did not follow PSNI guidance when seizing medically prescribed cannabis and failed to properly handle and secure the property.

Address

11 Church Street
Belfast
BT11PG

Telephone

028 9082 8600

Website

http://www.policeombudsman.org/

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