Police officers sacked for 'despicable' on-duty filming of vulnerable people

Two male Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers have been sacked for taking videos and photos of 18 vulnerable people they had been sent to help. The two officers, identified as Officers A and B, had been tasked to her house in 2021 after a report of concern for her safety. Some of the videos and pictures taken by the officers were shared on WhatsApp, including with a member of the public, and contained "sexualised, derogatory and demeaning commentary".

Their actions came to light during an investigation into Officer A, who was accused of having a relationship with a woman he met during the course of his duties. He was found to have taken videos and pictures of people who had requested assistance, reported crimes, were intoxicated or considered at risk of self-harm. Five videos found on Officer A's phone featured an elderly and apparently vulnerable man, filmed in his home and on a street from a police car.

Officer B took photos of two vulnerable women, which he shared with Officer A, along with messages which referred to the women in derogatory terms.