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27/07/2022
Further Allegations Suspended PSNI Officer Shared Images Of Suicide
Sinn Féin have called for an urgent meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne over fresh allegations that a PSNI officer shared images from a police computer of a victim of suicide.
It follows a report by the BBC that the family of Jim Lennon, who died by suicide in 2012, has come forward to say that a police officer is believed to have tried to share images of Mr Lennon's body.
It is understood that the Police Ombudsman told the family in 2017 that "an officer was being investigated for allegedly taking images of his body from the PSNI database".
According to the BBC, it is believed to be the same police officer who while being investigated for "11 separate but related incidents" was on suspension for five years while receiving full pay.
Seeking a meeting with the PSNI, Sinn Féin's policing spokesperson and member of the Policing Board, Gerry Kelly, said: "Further reports that a PSNI officer shared images of a victim of suicide are deeply disturbing and shocking.
"It's my understanding that a member of the PSNI has been suspended on full pay for five years and is awaiting the outcome of a PPS decision.
"The media are also reporting that one officer has now been dismissed from the PSNI while other investigations are ongoing.
"However, it is unacceptable that any family should have to wait five years for action to be taken.
"The question is why has it taken so long for the senior staff of the PSNI to act on what are very serious allegations.
"There have clearly been failures in the system to act on these complaints.
"I have spoken to the Chief Constable Simon Byrne and he has agreed to meet to discuss these very serious issues.
"I will make it clear that these actions cannot be tolerated within any police service whose duty it is to protect citizens.
"This is a matter of public confidence in the police and it must be transparent, accountable and fair.
"More importantly it has brought further trauma to an already grieving family."
It follows a report by the BBC that the family of Jim Lennon, who died by suicide in 2012, has come forward to say that a police officer is believed to have tried to share images of Mr Lennon's body.
It is understood that the Police Ombudsman told the family in 2017 that "an officer was being investigated for allegedly taking images of his body from the PSNI database".
According to the BBC, it is believed to be the same police officer who while being investigated for "11 separate but related incidents" was on suspension for five years while receiving full pay.
Seeking a meeting with the PSNI, Sinn Féin's policing spokesperson and member of the Policing Board, Gerry Kelly, said: "Further reports that a PSNI officer shared images of a victim of suicide are deeply disturbing and shocking.
"It's my understanding that a member of the PSNI has been suspended on full pay for five years and is awaiting the outcome of a PPS decision.
"The media are also reporting that one officer has now been dismissed from the PSNI while other investigations are ongoing.
"However, it is unacceptable that any family should have to wait five years for action to be taken.
"The question is why has it taken so long for the senior staff of the PSNI to act on what are very serious allegations.
"There have clearly been failures in the system to act on these complaints.
"I have spoken to the Chief Constable Simon Byrne and he has agreed to meet to discuss these very serious issues.
"I will make it clear that these actions cannot be tolerated within any police service whose duty it is to protect citizens.
"This is a matter of public confidence in the police and it must be transparent, accountable and fair.
"More importantly it has brought further trauma to an already grieving family."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
