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Statement on PONI Decision Regarding Police Officer 12 and the Investigation into the Death of Katie Simpson
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Statement on PONI Decision Regarding Police Officer 12 and the Investigation into the Death of Katie Simpson

14 Apr Statement on PONI Decision Regarding Police Officer 12 and the Investigation into the Death of Katie Simpson

Posted at 11:17h in Media Archive by

KRW LAW, on behalf of the next of kin of the late Katie Simpson, notes today’s communication from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI) confirming that no disciplinary proceedings have been recommended against Police Officer 12, citing the officer’s grave illness and subsequent retirement from the PSNI.

While this decision concludes one narrow aspect of the overall investigative scrutiny, significant issues of concern remain unresolved for our clients.

The findings shared today again highlight the ongoing lack of clarity regarding ownership of the police investigation at its early and crucial stages.
As confirmed by PONI, responsibility for the case appeared to shift ambiguously between the Local Policing Team (LPT), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Major Investigation Team (MIT). This uncertainty contributed to a situation where an inexperienced LPT officer was left managing a case far beyond their capacity, despite more experienced units being fully aware of the circumstances.

This structural confusion lies at the heart of the family’s concerns and has yet to be satisfactorily addressed.

According to PONI’s findings as set out in today’s decision letter:

  • Police Officer 12 provided guidance at several stages but maintained he did not “own” the investigation.
  • Police documentation confirms confusion within PSNI as to who held investigative responsibility.
  • Despite intelligence and concerns raised in August 2020, proper supervisory direction was not secured.
  • PONI reiterates its position that the initial police response was flawed, with a failure to assign the case to an appropriately experienced officer.
  • Six police officers were previously the subject of disciplinary recommendations as part of the broader investigation.
  • No such recommendation was made in respect of Police Officer 12 due to grave illness and subsequent retirement.
  • PONI also confirms that a linked criminal allegation made against the same officer has now been closed with no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW LAW commented,

“The highly unusual conflation of ownership between various entities within PSNI has not been satisfactorily resolved. Our clients, the next of kin, are unhappy at the outcome and rather than dispel rumour and suspicion, today’s communication has only served to compound their anxieties. The simple fact remains that the Katie Simpson murder investigation fell between three stools, not two.”

Given the continued shortcomings in accountability and the limited scope of today’s conclusions, our clients consider the outcome insufficient. While six officers were previously subject to disciplinary recommendations, this falls well short of their expectations.

Accordingly, we have today been formally instructed to submit a review request to the Police Ombudsman seeking further examination of the unresolved issues.