Retired police officers considering legal action over alleged Ombudsman security breach
Document sharing between the watchdog and the PSNI has been temporarily suspended.
Last updated 13th Apr 2017
It's after a former ombudsman investigator was arrested in England.
He was arrested in Dartford, Kent, by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Serious Crime Branch in a joint operation with Kent Police on Sunday.
The suspect has since been released on bail.
As part of its role probing alleged police misconduct, ombudsman investigators can access classified documents from the PSNI.
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin, head of the PSNI's Crime Operations Branch, said: The PSNI can confirm it has become aware of a suspected theft of sensitive documents from within the Office of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland.
We have now commenced a criminal investigation and are also carrying out an assessment of any impact which may be caused by the unauthorised release of sensitive material.
Detectives from our Serious Crime Branch conducted a joint search operation with Kent Police on Sunday and arrested a 69-year-old man in Dartford, Kent, in connection with the matter.
The PSNI and PONI have agreed to a temporary period of review during which sensitive information will not be shared.''
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has called for the organisation to be regulated.
Chairman Mark Lindsay said it was necessary to
"I think it calls into question an Ombudsman's office that really can go unchecked." He said.
He added: "I think there needs to be some oversight of how it operates and how it holds and secures data of such sensitive material."
It's understood a criminal investigation has been launched by the PSNI.