THREE PSNI officers have been disciplined over an investigation into a ‘road rage' incident.
A complaint was made by a woman who claimed she was assaulted by a man who blocked her car with his own vehicle in Newry.
The woman told Police Ombudsman investigators the incident began after after the man accused her of taking his parking space and parked behind her.
She claimed that when she knocked his window and asked him to move she was struck as he opened the door before grabbing her arm and swinging her towards her own vehicle.
The Ombudsman's office said a woman who witnessed the incident and phoned police supported the complainant's version of events.
When officers arrived the woman was so distressed she had to be accompanied to her home where she agreed to make a statement to a constable.
The man was later stopped by officers and was interviewed by the police constable under caution who issued him with a Community Resolution Notice (CRN) after discussion with his supervising sergeant.
A CRN is an alternative to prosecution.
The woman claimed the constable’s failure to follow up with witnesses and to ascertain the extent of her injuries had meant the allegation of assault had not been fully investigated.
Police Ombudsman investigators upheld her complaint whilst also recommending misconduct proceedings against two sergeants.
Investigators found that the two sergeants responsible for supervising the constable did not check his actions in following all reasonable lines of enquiry.
In a statement, Dr Michael Maguire’s office said: “The Police Ombudsman’s Office recommended that these two officers be subject to disciplinary action.
The PSNI has since acted on this recommendation and the two sergeants have received management action.
“The constable was dealt with by way of performance procedures."
