Former PSNI ACC in fraud arrest

A former Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable has been released after being arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Duncan McCausland, who held the position for nine years before retiring in 2011, was released on June 20 after spending three days in custody.

He was detained as part of an investigation into the awarding of a number of PSNI vehicle contracts.

Detectives from the serious crime branch have made a total of seven arrests in Northern Ireland and England in connection to the case.

Four men were arrested in Northern Ireland in counties Antrim, Down and Tyrone. Two men were arrested in England and are being taken to Northern Ireland for questioning; a 71-year-old man from County Down has also been arrested.

The suspects were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including bribery, misconduct in public office and procuring misconduct in public office.

Mr McCausland, currently a security and justice consultant, said he accepted the police decision to arrest him.

“I`ve actually told them that I’m happy to come back and assist them with anything else that they wish to talk to me about,” he said.

“But I fully understand what they had to do and they treated me in a very professional manner, which is what I would have expected.”

PSNI said those arrested in Northern Ireland include a 48-year-old police officer, a 37-year-old member of police staff, a 54-year-old former police officer and a 62-year-old. The two people arrested in England are aged 34 and 54.