A long-serving PSNI officer has been arrested for Misconduct in Public Office over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a victim of a crime.
The officer, who was detained on behalf of the Police Ombudsman on New Year’s Day, has since been suspended from duty.
The man was arrested for “alleged abuse of position for sexual purposes”.
The Irish News understands the officer under investigation is alleged to have contacted a woman who was the recent victim of a domestic crime.
It is understood the officer, who is based in Co Down, was arrested at his home address.
In a statement, the Police Ombudsman confirmed the matter was passed to it by police and that it is investigating.
“Following a referral from PSNI and the commencement of an investigation by the Police Ombudsman, a police officer was arrested on New Year’s Day for the offence of Misconduct in Public Office for alleged abuse of position for sexual purposes,” a spokeswoman for the Police Ombudsman said.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “On behalf of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, a serving police officer was arrested on January 1 2025.
“This is now a Police Ombudsman investigation, and any further queries should be referred through to them.”
The PSNI did not say why the officer was arrested.
The protection of vulnerable women and girls is currently a priority for the PSNI and it is understood officers are regularly briefed to apply ‘professional curiosity’, which the College of Policing says involves maintaining an open mind and not accepting things at face value.