Three police officers who celebrated Armagh’s All-Ireland triumph in the south Armagh village of Camlough are under criminal investigation.
Footage showing a PSNI officer lapping a roundabout, then being given a flag by a fan, which he waved from the window while still driving went viral.
Emergency lights and sirens were activated on other police vehicles captured driving through the village.
Three community officers are under investigation for failing to respect and obey the law, and breaching service instruction and the code of ethics, the BBC reported.
They were served misconduct papers by the Professional Standards Department (PSD), which is also investigating any potential criminal offences committed.
The papers were delivered on August 2, the day after Chief Constable Jon Boutcher insisted: “No one is being suspended or dismissed, however, nor do I support what the officers did.”
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He added: “I am very alive to the polarised commentary which has taken place since the footage came to light which again demonstrates that policing in Northern Ireland remains a lightning rod for societal views.”
A petition calling on the chief constable to “return the officers to frontline duties without punishment” gathered 4,400 signatures.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “I think that PSNI officer (has) done more for community relations with the nationalist and republican community than any glossy brochure or any glossy recruiting campaign than ever.”
But following a meeting with Mr Boutcher, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: “He is in no doubt of the need to reaffirm confidence in the PSNI’s impartiality, integrity and professional standards.”
The PSNI said it would be “inappropriate to provide any comment at this time” as “this matter remains subject to an internal investigation”.
A spokesperson for the Police Federation said all the officers involved were receiving “advice, support, and assistance”, adding the “matter is still at the investigative stage no recommendations have been made yet for the PPS or anyone else to consider”.
