Fair Cop

3 comments

• Comment Link Friday, 15 April 2011 22:36 posted by Geoff Calderwood

  Since the formation of the police ombudsmans office, this in general has only given police officers a free hand to do as they please, i have had reason to complain to this office on a number of occasions in relation to actions of officers, as a law student, i informed the officers of precedent set in other cases, i also informed them of British Law, which they tried to tell me was wrong, and they argueed with me on the matter, even though i had the law in question with me at this time, not surprisinly there investigation they carried out, came back in favour of the police, surprise surprise, so it would be my opinion this office is just a smokescreen to cover for the wrong doings of police officers, and would not have confidence in asking this office to investigate a complaint again

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• Comment Link Monday, 18 April 2011 14:53 posted by Elizabeth Nelson

  Hi Geoff,
  
  What's your reaction to the resignation of the Chief Exec of the Ombudsman's office? He said he was resigning because the office was being 'leaned on' by DOJ and that it wasn't independent anymore.
  
  There's a really interesting piece at TheDetail.tv that talks some more about the Ombudsman's office and its relationship to the Police Federation and the PSNI, and the fact that the Ombudsman himself is a former officer. Here's the link: http://www.thedetail.tv/issues/6/ombudsman-resignation/pollock-resignation-adds-to-accusations-of-malaise-at-ombudsman
  
  You're not the only one I've spoken to who lacks confidence in the office, the question is, what do we do to reform it? Can it be reformed? If not, what should be put in its place?

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• Comment Link Wednesday, 20 April 2011 12:45 posted by James

  Thanks for introducing me to The Detail - they have got some great stuff on their site.
  
  Reading their article on the allegations against the Ombudsman's office, I was shocked to learn that two of the three top positions in the office are held by former police officers. How on earth can that create accountability and an unbiased office?
  
  I think that should be the first step of reform. Let's not let former police officers police current police officers!

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