Allegations of domestic abuse abuse and sexual misconduct, including rape, have been made against 80 serving PSNI officers in the last 11 months, Belfast Live can reveal.
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show a breakdown of allegations, month by month, since June 2022. The month with the most reports of domestic abuse and sexual misconduct was November 2022, with 15 reports.
Of the 80 allegations, 68 were made against male officers, and 12 against female officers. 74 of the officers against whom allegations have been made are still serving officers.
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The data given to Belfast Live includes both allegations brought to the direct attention of Professional Standards Department (PSD), and those matters which have been detected proactively by PSD.
The table below which shows the number of allegations of domestic abuse and sexual misconduct (including rape) by month for the period of June 2022 – April 2023:
| Month and Year | Number of Allegations |
| June 2022 | 3 |
| July 2022 | 6 |
| August 2022 | 2 |
| September 2022 | 8 |
| October 2022 | 10 |
| November 2022 | 15 |
| December 2022 | 6 |
| January 2023 | 11 |
| February 2023 | 8 |
| March 2023 | 7 |
| April 2023 | 4 |
There were three rape allegations against serving PSNI officers in the last 11 months - one in July 2022, one in September 2022 and one in November 22.
None of the allegations have as yet resulted in a formal misconduct outcome. 22 of the cases have been closed with either no further action taken or "management advice given to the officer in question".
The cases which are still open "may yet result in formal misconduct outcomes", the Freedom of Information results outlined.
Superintendent Claire McGuigan from the Police Service's Professional Standards Department told Belfast Live that the PSNI "expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from all of our police officers and staff in accordance with the standards contained in the Police Service of Northern Ireland Code of Ethics".
Supt McGuigan added: "Currently there are 74 ongoing cases relating to either sexual misconduct or domestic incidents. Thirty-two officers are currently suspended on suspicion of sexual misconduct as investigations are progressed.
"Breaches of the law and the Code will be thoroughly investigated and robustly dealt with in accordance with the procedures laid out in our Conduct Regulations.
"We want to remain transparent with the public on this incredibly serious issue. We want to make it clear that we have a zero tolerance to proven cases of police misconduct."
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