From RCIPS Sat Dec 10 2016

Friday, 9 December, three RCIPS officers were formally suspended following criminal convictions for assault over the past week.  In all of these cases the assaults occurred on suspects the officers were taking into custody.

Pursuant to 95(2) of the Police Law (2014 Revision), the constables have been suspended from any and all police duties, but will continue to receive their police salary.  Further developments with respect to their employment status with the RCIPS will be shared as appropriate.

“Police officers have important duties to carry out while enforcing the law and ensuring public safety,” said Derek Byrne, Commissioner of Police, “and they must have the right to use reasonable force while doing so without threat of prosecution.  But this right never extends to the excessive use of force, which violates basic rights, erodes public confidence, and undermines the good work that the overwhelming majority of RCIPS officers often put themselves in harm’s way to do.”