Nearly 13,000 contact NI Police Ombudsman

Almost 13,000 people contacted the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland during its first year-and-a-half in operation…

Almost 13,000 people contacted the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland during its first year-and-a-half in operation, a report said today.

A total of 5,129 complaints of police misconduct were made following 12,500 telephone conversations and 1,500 visits.

Almost half of these complaints related to allegations of oppressive conduct, such as assault, while 23 per cent were allegations of failure of duty and 14 per cent alleged incivility and rudeness.

The Police Ombudsman initiated more than 2,300 investigations during this period.

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Ms Nuala O'Loan also said her staff dealt with more than 2,400 complaints without resorting to official investigations.

She was referring to figures in the organisation's first annual report that was presented to the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid today.

The document, which covers its first 17 months of work, also gave a break down of independent research, which found 83 per cent of Catholics and 75 per cent of Protestants believed the ombudsman's office would treat them fairly.

Ms O'Loan also called for her office to be granted increased powers of mediation in order to have more complaints dealt with at an early stage.

Upon receipt of the report, Dr Reid said: "Like many others I will want to consider carefully what the report says, but would emphasise that the government's support for an independent police complaints system reflects our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of policing for Northern Ireland." PA