Figures show that 10 PSNI officers were allowed to retire in the last two years while under investigation for misconduct.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that 10 officers have been "allowed to retire while under investigation for internal misconduct cases".
The PSNI has faced greater scrutiny in recent years due to a series of instances where officers have been accused of misconduct.
Read more: Nine PSNI officers dismissed over sexual or domestic misconduct
Earlier this year, a former PSNI constable pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.
It is understood a former PSNI officer and another officer still serving could potentially face trial for “numerous incidents including the alleged sharing of imagery taken at the scenes of sudden deaths”.
Those cases have provoked public debate about the length of time misconduct cases take to investigate and the fact that officers who are suspended during those investigations still receive full pay.
The Alliance Party MLA John Blair, who sits on the NI Policing Board, said more needed to be done to speed up investigations into misconduct.
"The Policing Board has understandably increased the attention paid to and the discussion around PSNI disciplinary matters and there appears to have been improvement in the expediting of investigations to more timely conclusions," he added.
"The matter of some lengthy investigations remains a concern, as does any existing opportunity to retire during investigation, other than in unavoidable circumstances.
"These issues have been discussed again in recent days by the Policing Board and I will be seeking further clarification on the figures released in relation to retirement during investigation."
The PSNI's Chief Superintendent Simon Walls, Head of Professional Standards Department, said they have to abide by regulations when it comes to managing misconduct cases.
“All officers and staff must abide by the highest standards rightly expected of those whose role is the impartial delivery of visible, accessible and responsive policing," he said.
“The Code of Ethics sets out clearly the Service’s expectations of police officers. Any officer in breach of these standards can expect to be subject to appropriate disciplinary processes.
“Under police regulations the only time that the Chief Constable or Deputy Chief Constable can prevent an officer from retiring whilst under investigation is if they are currently suspended.
“Officers who are repositioned or whose duty status has not changed while under investigation cannot be prevented from retiring.
“Police regulations do not allow for misconduct investigations to continue following retirement.”
READ NEXT:
- Two PSNI officers remain in service despite sexual misconduct, police chiefs admit
- PSNI dismiss 11 officers this year amid 130 gross misconduct cases
- Former and serving PSNI officers facing prosecution over alleged sharing of death images
- PSNI clarifies why suspended officers get paid in full while under investigation
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
