Two PSNI officers dismissed over sexual misconduct involving female colleagues

Two Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been dismissed after separate cases involving sexual misconduct towards female colleagues, with senior officers describing the behaviour as “abhorrent” and completely incompatible with the standards expected within policing.

The dismissals followed Special Case Hearings conducted by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and form part of what the PSNI says is a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct, misogyny and sexist behaviour within the organisation.

Both officers were dismissed on Thursday, 28 May, after their actions were found to amount to gross misconduct and a serious breach of professional standards.

Chief Constable reiterates standards expected in policing

The cases come as the Chief Constable has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the highest standards of professional conduct across the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Speaking recently at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mr Boutcher said everyone employed by the PSNI must understand the importance of professional standards and maintaining a respectful workplace culture.

The latest dismissals have been presented by the organisation as evidence of its determination to tackle unacceptable behaviour and protect confidence in policing.

Officer dismissed after sexual assaults on colleague

According to the PSNI’s Professional Standards Branch, one of the officers was dismissed after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault against a female colleague.

The incidents occurred during social events while the officers involved were off duty and involved non-consensual sexual touching of the woman’s buttocks.

Head of Professional Standards, Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray, said the conduct amounted to gross misconduct and the Chief Constable determined that dismissal from the organisation was the appropriate outcome.

Second case involved misconduct during work night out

In a separate case, another male officer faced internal misconduct proceedings following behaviour during a work-related night out.

The officer made a sexualised comment towards one female colleague and groped the buttock of another female colleague during the same event.

Chief Superintendent Murray said the behaviour represented a serious breach of professional standards and had the potential to significantly damage public confidence in policing.

The officer had previously been found guilty of sexual assault in a criminal court in relation to the same incident.

Following misconduct proceedings, the Chief Constable determined the behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and the officer was also dismissed from the PSNI.

‘No place in the Police Service of Northern Ireland’

Chief Superintendent Murray said the cases demonstrated that sexual misconduct, misogyny and sexist behaviour would not be tolerated within the organisation.

“These dismissals demonstrate that sexual misconduct, misogyny and sexist behaviour have no place in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and reflect our zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour,” he said.

“We recognise the significant harm that sexual misconduct, harassment, misogynistic and sexist behaviour can cause to victims, individuals, teams and public confidence.”

Maintaining public confidence

The PSNI said misconduct outcomes are determined through established disciplinary proceedings carried out in line with relevant regulations and organisational guidance.

The dismissals come amid wider efforts by policing leaders to reinforce professional standards and workplace culture, with senior officers making clear that behaviour which undermines colleagues or damages public trust will result in the strongest possible action.

For communities across Northern Ireland, the force says maintaining confidence in policing depends not only on officers’ actions in public, but also on ensuring respect, professionalism and accountability within the organisation itself.