Why Are Victims Concerned About Criminal Protection?
The victim of a man found guilty of voyeurism has expressed worries about the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) not publishing mugshots of major offenders, therefore shielding perpetrators. This follows the announcement by the chief constable on policy changes; no precise date has been given.
Catherine McSherry, whose step-brother Christopher was found guilty of many voyeuristic offences, said that when mugshots are not released, victims feel “ignored and not taken seriously.” She greeted the PSNI’s intention to change its custody picture stance as a “positive step.”
How Does the PSNI's Policy Compare to UK Standards?
Unlike many police departments in the United Kingdom, the PSNI does not typically publish mugshots of violent offenders following sentence. “In line with the custom and practice elsewhere,” Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said, the PSNI will start releasing these photos.
The PSNI said, “logistics of how we do that are now being worked through.”
What Happened in the Case of Severe Voyeurism?
Christopher, Catherine’s step-brother, was found guilty of one illegal computer access and six counts of voyeurism. Sentencing the 35-year-old from Portadown in County Armagh to 100 hours of community service, 18 months probation, and a sex offences prevention order was One of the worst incidents of voyeurism the judge has encountered, he said.
Why Are Mugshots Important to Victims?
“I think it can be very validating for victims to have an actual mugshot taken of their perpetrator rather than just smiling photographs of them in their daily life,” Catherine underlined. It prevents people from being insensitive to the reality that this was a crime carried out.”
Liz, her sister, attacked the absence of custody images as “a further failure” towards victims. “Why are the PSNI guarding the offender more than the victim? She remarked, “The whole system feels set up to protect offenders, not victims.”
What Prompted the Review of Policy?
Following relatives of victims murdered by drunk drivers questioning the lack of public pictures of offenders, the PSNI declared a policy review in April. Mr. Boutcher was asked for an update on this review at a recent Policing Board meeting. He verified, “I looked over it. We will post pictures of persons found guilty of severe offences when police use them for a specific reason.”
How Do Community Members View This Change?
“Positive” and “a long time coming,” Catherine said of the forthcoming transformation. “I think I speak for many other victims when I say that it would help greatly, not just in sexual abuse cases—any kind of criminal activity,” she said.
Former senior PSNI officer Jon Burrows likewise approved of the action as a “positive, albeit long overdue step.” “It is vital that justice is seen to be done, and releasing the mugshots of those convicted of certain crimes will improve confidence in the justice system, encourage victims to come forward, and send a clear message to perpetrators that actions have consequences,” he said, hoping the PSNI would match practices around the UK.
What Is the PSNI's Commitment to Change?
A PSNI spokesman said the police “will be publishing photographs of people convicted of certain serious crimes where there is a policing purpose to do that.” She underlined that while the logistics are in development, there is “no definite timeline for this at present.”
The policy change represents a major departure in how the PSNI meets the public desire for openness in the judicial system and victim requirements.
