Published Date: 08.11.2011

The Police Ombudsman's Office has decided it will not conduct an investigation into the actions of a police constable who drew his firearm in response to a domestic incident last week.

The Office is required by law to be notified of any incident in which the police draw their personal protection weapon. On this occasion the police informed the Office that a constable had drawn his firearm in response to an individual who was brandishing a pick axe at a residential address in south Belfast. The weapon was not used and the individual arrested for threats to kill and criminal damage.

After making a number of preliminary enquiries, investigators from the Office were satisfied that there was no improper conduct on behalf of the police officer and that therefore there was no need to conduct a full investigation.