Anyone guilty of inappropriate behaviour in PSNI will ‘very quickly lose job’

By Jonathan McCambridge (Press Association)

Anyone who uses inappropriate behaviour within the PSNI will “very quickly lose your job”, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned.

Mr Boutcher updated the Policing Board following the publication of an independent review into the death of showjumper Katie Simpson in 2020.

He revealed that the force receives nearly 16 reports of violence against women and girls every day.

Ms Simpson, 21, from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in Altnagelvin Area Hospital almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney.

Police originally thought she had taken her own life.

It was not until the following year that Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Ms Simpson’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The trial of Creswell, 36, for the murder of Ms Simpson ended in April 2024 after he took his own life following the first day of proceedings.

The review led by Dr Jan Melia found that “institutional misogyny” in the PSNI contributed to “clear warning signs” being missed in the original investigation.

Mr Boutcher said Ms Simpson was a “bright, bubbly young woman with a bold sense of humour, a great work ethic and a bright future ahead of her”.

He said: “There were a number of absolutely unacceptable police failings, many have been previously identified, including the failure to refer Creswell to the public protection arrangements in Northern Ireland or have his previous serious offending, easily searched on the police system.”

The Chief Constable said officers “lacked professional curiosity” and “too readily accepted Creswell’s lies”.

He said: “These failings and not investigating concerns raised by a number of people allowed Creswell to avoid being treated as a suspect for some five months, causing further unnecessary pain and trauma to Katie’s family.”

Mr Boutcher added: “Let me be clear, when Katie was admitted to hospital in August of 2020, we absolutely failed her.

“We did not treat her death as suspicious until January of 2021, when the investigation very quickly found compelling evidence to charge Creswell with her murder.

“I previously personally apologised to the family for these failings, and I do so again now.”

The Chief Constable said he had spoken to the entire organisation about standards and behaviours.

He added: “No one, no one should accept inappropriate behaviour.

“The PSNI will deal with such behaviour in the strongest possible terms,

“I will seek criminal sanctions against such behaviour, and we have a zero tolerance for it.

“At the very least, you will quickly lose your job.

“We must remember the overwhelming majority of our workforce are professional with the highest of standards and work tirelessly to keep people safe.

“They will be devastated by this report.”

Mr Boutcher said violence against women and girls is a “major threat to our wider society”.

He said: “Most recent figures show that 22,000 offences were recorded over a 12-month period, that is nearly 16 crimes a day.”

Mr Boutcher added: “As an organisation, we are now very much victim-focused, and we are tackling violence against women and girls as an absolute priority within the organisation.”