A senior PSNI officer has said that an investigation linked to Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson is “significantly more complex than was first anticipated”.
Deputy Chief Constable Chris Todd spoke about the investigation into an alleged domestic incident in September last year at the Policing Board on Thursday, although Ms Anderson was not named.
The PSNI asked West Midlands Police to investigate an incident linked to Ms Anderson, who took up her role with the Police Ombudsman in 2019, last October.
The PSNI previously said officers “received a report of a domestic incident” and attended an address in Co Down.
A 63-year-old man was arrested for common assault and interviewed before being released.
A file linked to the case has since been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service.
Sources previously suggested Ms Anderson held discussions with a senior PSNI officer after the alleged incident.
In June, The Irish News revealed that Ms Anderson has taken an “extended absence” from her post at the ombudsman’s office due to illness.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting Mr Todd said the investigation, known as Operation Mylogic “has taken a lot longer than originally anticipated”.
“It is an independently led investigation being conducted by colleagues from West Midlands Police and is on-going,” he said.
“I continue to provide strategic support and oversight to the investigation, and I am satisfied that the investigation is significantly more complex than was first anticipated but is progressing professionally and effectively.”
Mr Todd added that he is satisfied “the investigation is progressing effectively under what can only be described as challenging circumstances beyond the control of PSNI and the SIO (Senior Investigating Officer).
