Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland concluded that officers acted appropriately during an armed response in Belfast on 10 September 2025. The incident followed public reports of a firearm in a car on Donegall Road in north Belfast. Officers treated the report as a serious threat.

Body-worn video and CCTV footage showed the complainant exit the vehicle and place his hands on his head as instructed. Two officers then took him to the ground. One officer reported making a split-second decision after observing the complainant's left hand move downward in what he perceived as a high-risk situation.

Investigators noted the hand movement was not visible on video but aligned with the officer's notebook entry and his own recorded actions. The force applied proved necessary and proportionate given the initial report, perceived risk, and need to secure the complainant and suspected weapon.

The item was a toy water pistol. The same officer sprayed it once at the ground to ease tension after confirming it was not real. By then, the complainant's friends cooperated with police.

Ombudsman investigators deemed the spraying unprofessional for an armed response context but accepted the officer's account and recommended no further action.

Senior Investigator Martin McCaffery stated that evidence review found no basis for criminal or misconduct sanctions against the officers. He stressed the need for independent checks on police use of force.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray of PSNI Professional Standards welcomed the findings. He noted officers face tough choices daily and must respond swiftly to firearm reports to safeguard the public and themselves. Murray warned against displaying items resembling firearms in public due to risks involved.