Police officers targeted vulnerable women for sexual purposes, MLAs told

Women with “known vulnerabilities” were targeted by police officers for sexual purposes, a police watchdog has said.A report earlier this year by the Police Ombudsman’s office revealed each of the alleged victims was classed as being a “vulnerable” individual, and they included a 14-year-old girl.Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin said evidence had been found that some officers targeted women known to have vulnerabilities.Appearing at the Executive Office scrutiny committee on Wednesday, Ms Durkin said in three cases, they found police officers had sexual contact on the day they met the victims.She told MLAs: “The chief constable has described the abusive position for sexual purposes as the most serious form of police corruption, and I agree.“While police officers have a right to a private life, they do not have the right to abuse their unique position for their own gain.“I believe that the majority of PSNI officers abide by their code of ethics every day, and will have been horrified at our findings.“They understand the damage this behaviour causes, not only to victims but also to their profession and community confidence in policing.”She said the report was independently reviewed by Ulster University’s Professor Duncan Morrow, and based on 36 cases received over a five-year period.She said it shows some “startling findings”.The ombudsman said the public ‘must have a high level of trust’ in the PSNI (PA)PA ArchiveThe ombudsman said: “We find that all the victims identified had at least one known vulnerability, with a mean average of around six identified vulnerabilities, and in three cases, we find that police officers had sexual contact on the day they met the victims.Read More“Policing is by necessity a high trust profession. To maintain the fundamental principle of policing by consent, the public must have a high level of trust in the PSNI as a service and in its individual officers.“Women must have confidence that if they are a victim or witness, a suspect or defendant, they will be treated respectfully, professionally, and compassionately.“Unfortunately, we found evidence of officers exploiting their trusted position for sexual gain.“I am encouraged by the strong messages repeatedly delivered by PSNI senior leaders, including from the chief constable, about how these behaviours will not be tolerated.“I am also encouraged that the number of PSNI referrals to my office continues to rise, with almost 50 cases since the analysis contained in this report was concluded on December 31, 2024.”