One Third of Serious PONI Cases Involves Predatory Behaviour Assembly Committee Told

Predatory behaviour by police officers here now accounts for around one third of the Police Ombudsman's (PONI) most serious investigations, an Assembly Committee has been told.

Today, members of the Committee for the Executive Office heard from senior PONI officials and senior Police Service (PSNI) officers on the findings of a sexual misconduct report which was published earlier this year.

The Committee was briefed on PONI’s report: Abuse of Position for Sexual Purposes by PSNI Officers and its impact in relation to the, Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG) strategy.

When published in February, the report set out the emerging findings from a review of 42 cases of alleged abuse of position for sexual purposes by PSNI officers between 2018 and 2024. Since the start of 2025, 49 further cases have been identified.

Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office said: “The Abuse of Position for Sexual Purposes - or APSP – refers to any behaviour by a police officer that exploits their position, authority or powers to pursue a sexual or improper emotional relationship with a member of the public.

“What is contained in the report is truly horrifying and shocking. We learned that APSP now accounts for a significant number of the Ombudsman’s most serious cases. More than that, it is one of the most serious forms of police corruption and a real threat to public confidence in policing.

“The findings show that all the victims were women and all the perpetrators men - typically frontline officers in their 30s, some of whom were married and had children.

“What has taken place is a flagrant misuse of police powers and systems. We were told that many victims had significant vulnerabilities and there was predatory behaviour by some officers.

“It is clear that APSP and the actions of the officers involved have major implications on efforts to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG). It shows that some abuse is being carried out by those meant to protect victims which undermines prevention, reporting and trust.”

The Chair said that the findings had exposed how vulnerable women were being deliberately targeted and exploited.

She added: “What we’ve also seen are that there are systemic failings in supervision, accountability and organisational culture that allow such behaviour to go undetected or unchallenged.”

The Committee agreed they wanted to see urgent action taken to strengthen oversight, improve supervision, tackle cultural issues and rebuild trust. 

Members praised the work of the Ombudsman’s Office in exposing the abuse and called for measures to support victims in coming forward, with assurances that all allegations would be thoroughly investigated.

Members noted that the report findings serve as a stark reminder of the harm caused when trust is abused.  They reinforced the need for all public bodies, including the PSNI and justice bodies, to play an active role in preventing violence against women and girls, rebuilding confidence, and ensuring victims receive the support they need.

Ends

For further information please contact Felicity Templeton, Assembly communications office: felicity.templeton@niassembly.gov.uk or 07977 635930

Notes to editors:

• You can find the PONI report:  Abuse of Position for Sexual Purposes by PSNI Officers: analysis and emerging findings here (Published February 2026)
• A recording of the meeting will be published on Assembly.tv as soon as possible following the conclusion of proceedings here
• A briefing paper on EVAWG, intended to inform the Committee for the Executive Office’s considerations and written by the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) in June 2026, can be found here
• The Executive’s, End Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategic Framework 2024-2031 can be found here