Three G Districtofficers among 26suspended in NI

The PSNI revealed that on January 8, 2014, four inspectors, five sergeants, fifteen constables and two part-time constables were suspended.

The longest period of suspension was listed as 27 months.

Ten of the officers had been suspended for less than two months.

According to the figures for Northern Ireland as a whole there was a peak in suspensions late last year.

Six officers were suspended in November 2013. A further three officers were suspended in December.

Releasing the information the PSNI stated: “The range of alleged offences being investigated in relation to the suspensions are as follows: Inappropriate access of police systems, excess alcohol, abuse of authority, fraud, misconduct in public office, breach of firearms (NI) Order, sexual offence, criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, drug offence, providing misleading information to authorities, theft, harassment, perverting course of justice, mishandling of police property.”

The PSNI says regulations require it to await the conclusion of all criminal proceedings before initiating misconduct proceedings.

“Unfortunately, awaiting the conclusion of criminal proceedings accounts in the most part for the length of time an officer remains on suspension,” the PSNI explained.

It commented: “The PSNI expect its officers to behave with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism at all times.

“Any conduct which brings, or is likely to bring discredit on the Service, will be robustly investigated in order to establish whether or not a breach of the PSNI Code of Ethics has occurred.”