Disciplinary Action by PSNI Against 74 Officers for Misuse of Body Cam Footage

A disciplinary action by PSNI is taken against 74 officers for the misuse of body cam footage. The footage was inappropriately accessed by a body-worn camera which led to a PONI investigation. 

The Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) found that an officer was noticed to be carrying out an arrest operation several times with the body cam footage. It was witnessed by his colleagues.  

The footage was about a civilian with the possession of illegal drugs. The video also showed that the arresting officer made a mistake at which a fellow colleague was heard laughing from behind. 

PONI investigation against misuse of body cam footage  

After the initiation of the investigation by Northern Ireland’s Office of the Police Ombudsman (PONI), it was observed that the body cam footage was watched between December 2019 and November 2022 by more than 80 police officers a total of 248 times. It also included one civilian staff member, inculcating all the staff members from 20 different police stations. 

It was surprising to note that the video had been accessed once or twice by the majority of the officers while there was one officer who had watched it 21 times, only for the sake of “entertainment”. 

When asked from all the 74 officers and the civilian staff member for the reason, only five officers and the civilian members gave appropriate reasons for watching the body cam footage. 

After the disciplinary action by PSNI, the agency said that it expected more ethical and professional behaviour from its officers. It asked the officers to follow the rules of the arresting officer and avoid the mistake that he made while administering a criminal caution. 

Risks of illegally accessing body cam footage

PONI stated that there is a “significant risk” that officers might try to access the official database without permission for the body cam footage, and that too, without a reason.

With a deeper probe, it was realised that the video was watched several times, merely for “entertainment and amusement”. 

Response of Chief Executive of PONI 

The chief executive of PONI, Hugh Hume, said that most of them did not find it absurd when they were questioned about why they accessed the footage and inquired about the reason for it.

He added,

“The responses received from officers when asked to provide their reasons for accessing the video, suggested an apparent lack of awareness that doing so might constitute a criminal or misconduct offence”. 

The chief welcomed the decision of disciplinary action by the PSNI against the body-worn camera footage. He believed that this “management action” would improve officers’ conduct and set rules for the future so that they know there should be a reasonable reason for doing so. 

Mr Hume was content that PSNI responded on time after getting three recommendations for disciplinary actions against 74 officers for the misuse of body cam footage. 

However, a concern arose when a fourth recommendation was not accepted for random sampling of the database to ensure an establishment of the level of unauthorised access.

He explained that there remains visible evidence that private and personal data in the database is illegally accessed “without a legitimate policing purpose”. He said it needs to be stopped, especially when it is about body cam footage that has caused a “significant residual risk”. 

Mr Hume noted that there is an apparent ‘lack of awareness’ about maintaining the privacy of the person being arrested as the video was being viewed for entertainment purposes. 

The civilian’s emotional well-being matters. Since the body cam footage is used for obtaining first-hand data of the criminal offences and their arrest proceedings, they are the most vulnerable people in our society, he clarified. 

A criminal and misconduct offence is clearly conducted but the 74 officers accused of doing so are completely unaware. 

According to Mr Hume, there needs to be a ‘refreshment’ of knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding the privacy of official data and having access to it. 

Response of PSNI Deputy Chief Constable

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable, Chris Todd, affirmed that there was an indispensable need for an investigation as soon as it was felt that officers’ conduct was inappropriate.

He further elucidated that PSNI had a range of disciplinary actions that would be put in place whenever such an unwanted behaviour would be observed. The department knows about its responsibilities and is aware of data protection implications regarding body cam footage, he said.

Mr Todd guaranteed that there would be a stricter check on anyone who wants to access any official footage and needs to provide a reason for it. Although, the rules were in place before, but now, it would be more stringent, he verified. 

He explained that there was a regular random sampling done by PSNI management to check on the requests. He was satisfied that they had been able to achieve the expected end result that was sought by PONI. 

The breach of trust that resulted in disciplinary action by PSNI

Ex-PSNI officer Jon Burrows said that it is a clear breach of trust that police officers have shown via their actions. He said that it is sad to see the police officers, whom the department has entrusted with sensitive information, have used it for personal entertainment.

They have not considered that the use of personal information that is related to victims is sheer unethical behaviour. 

With PSNI’s strict enforcement of proper policies and behaviours, the public would get to know that their data is treated “respectfully and confidentially”, Mr Burrows assured. 

Contract with body-worn camera provider

The PSNI has signed a ten-year contract till 2026 the provider of body-worn cameras. 

It is estimated that 3,000 of them are used by trained officers but with appropriate measures. 

This issue is meant to be for a separate investigation. 

FAQs

1. What prompted the investigation into the misuse of body cam footage in PSNI?

• The investigation was initiated after it was found that body cam footage of a civilian arrest operation was accessed multiple times by officers without a legitimate reason. The footage, intended for lawful review only, was reportedly viewed for entertainment, prompting Northern Ireland’s Office of the Police Ombudsman (PONI) to investigate.

2. How many PSNI officers were involved in the misuse of the footage?

• A total of 74 PSNI officers and one civilian staff member were found to have accessed the footage improperly. Over 80 individuals in total viewed the footage, some more frequently than others, across 20 different police stations.

3. What did the investigation by PONI uncover about the extent of the misuse?

• PONI discovered that the footage was accessed 248 times between December 2019 and November 2022. Some officers only watched it once or twice, while one officer accessed it 21 times, reportedly for “entertainment.”

4. What actions have been taken against the officers involved?

• PSNI has taken disciplinary actions against the 74 officers involved in the misuse. These actions are intended to enforce ethical and professional standards regarding body cam usage.

5. What is the PSNI’s stance on the misuse of body cam footage?

• PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Chris Todd stated that the department recognizes the gravity of unauthorized access and has a range of disciplinary measures to handle such misconduct. Moving forward, stricter checks and more stringent protocols will be implemented.