Corporate Governance

The Police Ombudsman is appointed by Her Majesty, as a named person for a fixed term of seven years. The status of this authority is that of corporation sole. The Police Ombudsman is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly, through the Minister for Justice.

The status of the Office of the Police Ombudsman is that of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) administrated through the Department of Justice. The Management Statement and Financial Memorandum sets out the Office’s overall aim, the rules and guidelines relevant to the exercise of the Office’s functions, duties and powers, the condition under which any public funds are paid to the Office and how the Office is to be held to account for its performance.

Vision and Values

The Police Ombudsman’s Office is required by law to strive to deliver a police complaints system in which the public and police officers can have confidence.

Our Vision
Our vision is to provide excellence in the independent and impartial investigation of police complaints, which builds confidence and improves policing for the community.

Our Values
Our vision is underpinned by our public values, which describe the ways in which we will deliver our services. These values are: independence, impartiality, integrity, openness, fairness, human rights, accessibility, satisfaction and accountability. For more information on these values, please click here.

Our Code of Ethics
Police Ombudsman staff are required to adhere to the highest levels of professionalism and integrity. The ethical standards required of our staff are set out in our Code of Ethics.