Detective Superintendent Julie Mullan of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Professional Standards Department said: “The Police Service and the public expect police officers to investigate incidents fully, fairly and professionally.

“Where it is perceived that conduct falls short of these high standards, it is right that officers should face an impartial, thorough enquiry by the Police Ombudsman’s office.

"The Police Service has accepted the findings of the Ombudsman in this case and implemented an internal disciplinary process which resulted in a final written warning to the officer concerned.

“While in this instance the conduct of the officer fell short of the standards that we have set, it is not representative of the excellent work police officers carry out across Northern Ireland on a daily basis as we strive to keep people safe.”