This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18498588#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Officers disciplined after Newtownards gay couple complain | Officers disciplined after Newtownards gay couple complain |
(40 minutes later) | |
Eight police officers at a PSNI station in County Down station have been disciplined following a complaint to the Police Ombudsman's Office. | |
It concerned the way in which a string of homophobic crimes were investigated. | It concerned the way in which a string of homophobic crimes were investigated. |
They were alleged to have failed to investigate properly attacks at a gay couple's Newtownards home in 2007/08. | |
The PSNI has agreed to pay damages and costs, apologised to the couple and said it is committed to ongoing training for its officers. | |
Vandalised | |
In total, there were 12 separate attacks on the home of Vincent Creelan and his partner over the period of a year. | |
Windows were broken, eggs were thrown the property and their car was vandalised. | |
Mr Creelan - who is a former police officer - said the PSNI's response to the attacks had made him feel "sick" and "vulnerable". | |
He added: "I'm not saying I should get special treatment because I was an ex-Peeler or because I was involved with the Gay Police Officers Association or whatever, but it made you realise there was something very, very wrong and it made you feel very, very vulnerable". | |
The officers from Newtownards station were disciplined in 2010 following the completion of the Police Ombudsman's inquiry. | The officers from Newtownards station were disciplined in 2010 following the completion of the Police Ombudsman's inquiry. |
The two men also took a separate civil action against the PSNI claiming they had been denied proper policing because of their sexual orientation. | The two men also took a separate civil action against the PSNI claiming they had been denied proper policing because of their sexual orientation. |
It had been due to run for five days, but was settled on the steps of Laganside Courts in Belfast on Monday morning. | It had been due to run for five days, but was settled on the steps of Laganside Courts in Belfast on Monday morning. |
'Regret' | 'Regret' |
The PSNI said it had accepted the findings of the Police Ombudman's Office report into the issue in 2010 and has since acted on its recommendations. | The PSNI said it had accepted the findings of the Police Ombudman's Office report into the issue in 2010 and has since acted on its recommendations. |
It pointed out that there were "no findings of institutionalised homophobia in the concluding report". | It pointed out that there were "no findings of institutionalised homophobia in the concluding report". |
PSNI Chief Superintendent Mark Hamilton said; "We deeply regret that our service fell short of the standard our communities rightly expect and deserve and lessons have been learned from this case. | PSNI Chief Superintendent Mark Hamilton said; "We deeply regret that our service fell short of the standard our communities rightly expect and deserve and lessons have been learned from this case. |
"The PSNI takes reports of hate crime very seriously, we are continuously working to improve our response to these crimes and would urge victims to report incidents to us." | "The PSNI takes reports of hate crime very seriously, we are continuously working to improve our response to these crimes and would urge victims to report incidents to us." |