Police Ombudsman won't investigate incident in Bangor where PSNI fired shots after man seen with imitation gun
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton told the Policing Board yesterday that the watchdog is 'not opening an investigation' after shots were fired by police.
The incident occurred on the evening of May 18 in High Street in Bangor, where a man was seen in a business with a firearm.
Belfast Magistrates Court was later told the RAF veteran pointed a 'realistic looking' imitation gun at armed police demanding to be shot.
It was stated he put officers in such a state of fear they fired several rounds at the 45-year-old during a near two hour stand-off.
During the incident, to which an armed response unit was called, the unnamed individual identified himself as a veteran of both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The man was later arrested and charged with a range of offences, including 'possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and violence'.
The response of officers was praised by Mr Singleton.
'An individual clearly and significantly in distress, who pointed a fire arm at them (officers) in High Street, Bangor,' he said.
'Having reviewed the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the police firearms, the Police Ombudsman have confirmed that they are not opening an investigation.
'I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the officers, who I think demonstrated exceptional professionalism, courage resilience and restraint.'
Also discussed in the meeting was the controversial arrest of pro-Palestinian activists last month.
Sue Pentel (72), a member of the group Jews for Palestine, was arrested alongside a fellow activist in her 50s in relation to 'criminal damage' to a Barclay's bank cash machine in Belfast.
Stickers had been placed on the ATM.
The arrest of the pair sparked criticism from some politicians, including from the First Minister, and the public.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said an investigation had been launched by the Police Ombudsman in relation to the arrest.
'We are limited to what we can say due to the Ombudsman investigation,' he said.
'I, of course, had the luxury at the time of seeing the body worn video.
'I was satisfied as I said around the professionalism with which the officers dealt with those that were protesting.
'I welcome the Ombudsman's investigation into it. If they find there is organisational learning within that, of course, we will respond to that.'
In relation to the recent withdrawal of allegations of sectarianism by a Catholic former police officer, named as 'Sean' to protect his identity, Mr Singleton said he was 'relieved' that the accusations were retracted.
'In recent months public attention has been drawn to the very serious allegations of sectarianism in the police force,' he said.
'Sean's claims understandably caused public concern. The type of behaviour that was alleged was, as I have said at the time, absolutely disgraceful.
'Since the last board meeting, Sean has of course now unequivocally retracted his allegations.
'He has acknowledged that they were unfounded and he has expressed deep regret for the distress that has been caused.
'I am relieved that Sean has done this, and I think it is the best possible outcome for everybody.'
It was also revealed in the meeting that four officers had been dismissed by the Chief Constable, John Boutcher, both for inappropriate material being shared on WhatsApp chats and one for 'misusing substances'.
'In the last two months as well, the Chief Constable has personally convened four fast-tracked special case misconduct hearings,' he said.
'Three of these hearings were in respect to inappropriate material in private WhatsApp groups, discovered as part of a Police Ombudsman investigation.
'And a further hearing related to substance misuse. All four officers were dismissed by the Chief Constable,' said Mr Singleton.
The Policing Board also discussed an online 'gangs of boys', referred to as 'the Com' by police.
They were referred to as 'online misogynists' by the National Economic Crime director general, Graeme Biggar.
'We are living our lives more online. We see that play out in crimes in relation to online fraud, cyber-crimes and child sexual abuse and exploitation,' said Mr Biggar.
'The particular example is in what we highlighted in our March publication was the emergence over the last two years, in particular the last year, of a new-ish phenomenon generally called 'the Com'.
'This is an online grouping of gangs of boys with a nihilistic, misogynistic mindset, who focus on grooming and coercing young girls into abusing themselves, and into self-harm.
'This is in particular an English speaking phenomenon, but it causes significant harm.
'We did an alert out to chief constables in March. We have a number of investigations into it across the UK.
'We have had a number of prosecutions so far. We have not had incidences of this in Northern Ireland, yet. We don't have any investigations here, but it will come.'
Two weeks ago, a number of families had been forced out of their homes in north Belfast as a result of a series of sectarian attacks.
News Catch Up - Thursday 5 June
Mr Henderson told the board a man has been arrested and charged in relation to the attacks.
'On May 21, that night we saw attacks on houses, windows broken. It was clearly a sectarian attempt to intimidate people out of their homes,' he said.
'We will bring all of our investigative powers to bring people to justice.
'We have investigated, and, this week, we have arrested and charged a male in relation to damage caused to one of the properties.'
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