The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed an investigation into allegations of inappropriate use of Twitter by a number of its officers or support staff. The inquiry focuses on accounts claiming to belong to police personnel, with the PSNI stating that all allegations will be investigated and firm action taken if substantiated.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, responsible for professional standards, said police are examining material posted on personal social media accounts and are working to establish if the individuals are all serving officers. He declined to comment on specific cases at this stage.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has urged officers to exercise caution in their use of social media, citing dangers and pitfalls, as well as the ongoing severe threat to officers' safety. This is not the first such incident; last August, Chief Constable George Hamilton apologised for a tweet telling an officer to 'dry your eyes' after a complaint about working conditions.
Separately, police are investigating claims that Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been targeted by a serving officer, with an account allegedly posting her personal details. Long is currently on leave for medical treatment. Former senior PSNI official Alan McQuillan advised against a blanket ban on Twitter, noting its potential for community engagement, but stressed that criminal or disciplinary issues must be addressed.
