A serving PSNI officer has been suspended pending the outcome of criminal proceedings related to alleged fraud following a payout under the Universal Offer Scheme as part of
Kaelum Lappin (26) – based in Co Armagh but whose address was given as PSNI Headquarters at Knock Road in Belfast – is facing a charge of fraud by abuse of position following the catastrophic data breach in August 2023.
According to court papers on dates between January 30, 2024 and January 29, 2025, whilst occupying a position in which he was expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of his employer, he dishonestly abused his position by applying for and received £500 under the PSNI Universal Offer Scheme.
The cash was reimbursement for what Lappin purportedly paid out for security equipment, but he had allegedly cancelled this and received a refund on December 28, 2023.
It is alleged Lappin did not declare this to the PSNI with the intention to cause loss.
He is due to appear before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on July 22.
When asked to clarify Lappin’s current employment status a PSNI spokesperson confirmed: “The officer is suspended pending the outcome of criminal and misconduct proceedings.”
The PSNI introduced the scheme offering £500 to all officers and staff affected by the data breach in August 2023, caused by the accidental release of employee information.
The personal data of 9,483 officers and staff was disclosed online for two hours in August 2023 in response to a Freedom of Information request made by a member of the public.
The scheme was specifically intended to help officers and staff take practical steps around their security and reassurance in the wake of the highly sensitive information disclosure.
All were offered £500 to be spent on upgrading their personal security with the majority of applications accepted.
However, in February it emerged two officers had been arrested as part of a fraud probe into the scheme after the Anti-Corruption Unit launched an investigation.
The officers were later released on bail.
