The Police Ombudsman has confirmed, following extensive enquiries, that there are insufficient grounds to open an investigation into the discharge of a police firearm in Downpatrick on 31 May 2026.
However, the Police Ombudsman will submit a report to the PSNI to consider whether any improvements to police processes, supervision or training may be required, given that the officer who discharged the firearm was struck by a police car he was responsible for and that a member of the public was driving.
The officer sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and police later arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.
The Police Ombudsman’s on call team was contacted by police in the early hours of Sunday 31 May and attended the scene.
Ombudsman investigators conducted a range of enquiries, including crime scene assessment and the securing of evidence, including the police firearm. Police documentation, recordings of radio communications, body-worn video and CCTV footage, together with police officer statements, were obtained and carefully analysed.
The Police Ombudsman, Ms Jacqui Durkin, found insufficient evidence to indicate that the officer who discharged the firearm had committed a criminal or disciplinary offence and therefore decided that the incident should not be subject to investigation.
“However, a report will be submitted to the PSNI to help identify any individual or organisational learning arising from the circumstances of this incident,” said Ms Durkin.