Video: PSNI officers leave incapacitated woman in roadway within yards of traffic

AN URGENT MEETING has been had by Sinn Féin with PSNI chiefs in Derry after a video was posted online of three PSNI officers picking up an incapacitated woman from a roadway and moving her towards the pathway but still on the road as buses and cars passed within feet of her.

The Police Ombudsman is now investigating the case.

Two passersby later came to the woman’s assistance.

The video was posted on Facebook on Tuesday and believed to be of an incident on St Patrick's Day.

Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McCallion – a member of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership – said:

“Sinn Féin Councillor Elisha McCallion welcomed the referral to the Police Ombudsman of a video showing PSNI officers leaving an incapacitated woman lying on a road.

Councillor McCallion said:

“The contents of this video are disturbing in that the PSNI have disregarded the safety of this woman by leaving her in a dangerous position on the road in an incapacitated state.

“The PSNI have a duty of care to protect the public and clearly they have failed miserably in this case as the woman was clearly incapable of caring for herself.

“Sinn Féin has met with PSNI Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin today to discuss the case and I welcome the fact that the case has been referred to the Police Ombudsman.

“I am calling on the Police Ombudsman to bring back a report as soon as possible so that any recommendations can be implemented

“We also emphasised the need to ensure that while we wait for the Ombudsman’s report that this doesn’t happen again.

“I am glad on this occasion that the woman didn’t suffer any serious injuries but this was due more to luck rather than intervention by the PSNI.”