WHAT WE INVESTIGATE

The great majority of cases investigated by the Police Ombudsman arise as a result of complaints from members of the public.

Currently the Office receives around 3,000 public complaints a year - less than the average number of complaints against police before the establishment of the Office.

Matters can also be referred for investigation by the Chief Constable. All discharges of firearms, all deaths following contact with police, and all fatal traffic collisions involving police are routinely referred by the Chief Constable.

Cases can also be referred to the Police Ombudsman by the Secretary of State, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the judiciary, the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Coroner's Office.

In addition, the Police Ombudsman's Office is currently considering a series of cases which have been referred to it by the Historical Enquiries Team. The law requires that any deaths which may have resulted from the actions of a police officer during the Northern Ireland "Troubles" (the conflict between 1968 to 1998) must also be referred to the Police Ombudsman for independent investigation. However, on 28 January 2009 the Consultative Group on the Past recommended that this historic work, and the work of the the Historic Enquiries Team, be transferred to a new investigative body as part of the proposals for dealing with the legacy of Northern Ireland's past. These proposals are now under consideration by the Government.

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