Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman

HL Deb 13 January 2005 vol 668 cc74-5WA

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases for prosecution of police officers have been referred to the Northern Ireland Director of Public Prosecutions by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman during each year since her appointment; how many referrals have been rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions during each year; how many cases are still pending; and how many cases have failed during each year. [HL320]

Baroness Amos

The Police Ombudsman's Office has advised the following information:

Cases referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions:

Year
2000–01	0
2001–02	78
2002–03	184
2003–04	179
2004–05 (to date)	39
Total	475

Cases where action was recommended by the Police Ombudsman:

Year
2000–01	0
2001–02	12
2002–03	16
2003–04	10
2004–05 (to date)	6
Total	44

In the cases referred for action, the DPP has recommended prosecution in 18 cases, no prosecution in 10 cases and all others await direction. In the cases that have been to court four have resulted in conviction, all in the last year; five have resulted in no conviction. The DPP has also directed prosecution in three cases where the Police Ombudsman had not recommended prosecution.