Two Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers have been arrested in connection with a fraud investigation following a significant data breach.
The breach, which occurred in August 2023, exposed sensitive details of approximately 9,500 PSNI officers and staff in response to a Freedom of Information request.
The data breach revealed sensitive information, including the surnames and first initials of officers and staff, their ranks or grades, their locations, and the units in which they worked.
Following the breach, the PSNI offered a £500 payment to affected personnel to help them take additional security measures. Approximately 90% of those affected accepted the offer.
However, the PSNI later confirmed that the leaked information had fallen into the hands of dissident republicans, raising significant security concerns within the force.
On 29 January, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton confirmed that two officers had been arrested and interviewed for fraud offences related to the payments.
The officers have been released on bail while investigations continue. Singleton added that misconduct investigations are also underway, and the duty status of the two officers involved is being reviewed.
Deputy Chief Constable Singleton expressed concern over the breach and its impact on public trust in the police force.
“The public rightly expect and demand the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from all of our police officers and staff,” he said.
“When the actions of individuals are suspected to fall short of these standards, it seriously undermines legitimacy, trust and public confidence in policing.”
The PSNI is conducting thorough investigations into both the data breach and the fraud allegations.
The force is committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of its officers and staff.
The security breach and subsequent fraud investigation have raised concerns about data protection within the PSNI and the risks posed by such sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
