MPs call for more representative PSNI on 25th anniversary

Members of Parliament are urging the Police Service of Northern Ireland to accelerate efforts to become more representative of the communities it serves, warning that progress has stagnated. A new report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee highlights the need for commanders to intensify recruitment from under-represented groups, especially Catholics.

The committee's examination, conducted ahead of the PSNI's 25th anniversary, found that while the proportion of Catholic officers rose significantly after the introduction of a 50:50 recruitment policy, it has largely plateaued at around 30% since the policy ended in 2011. Projections suggest this figure could even fall in the future, despite Catholics comprising roughly 45% of Northern Ireland's population.

Beyond religious background, the report also points to underrepresentation of officers from ethnic minority and working-class communities. The MPs recommend exploring initiatives like a cadet-style scheme and conducting research to identify and remove barriers to applications from these groups. The committee also addressed overall staffing levels, noting Stormont's commitment to funding a plan to reach 7,000 officers by 2028 amid concerns about current numbers being unsustainable.

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Over the last 25 years the PSNI has played a pivotal role in supporting the transition from the Troubles to peace and stability in Northern Ireland, but there is still more to do to ensure the service is fit for today’s challenges and representative of the people it protects and serves across all communities.

Furthermore, the report calls for an independent analysis of appropriate officer and staff numbers and urges the UK Government to secure additional funding for the PSNI, which has faced real-terms budget cuts since 2011. It reiterates a previous recommendation for ring-fenced funding for legacy case investigations and suggests allowing the PSNI access to counter-terrorism funding streams available in England and Wales.

"There is still more to do to ensure the service is fit for today’s challenges and representative of the people it protects and serves across all communities," said Tonia Antoniazzi, chairwoman of the committee. She emphasized the need for the UK Government to recognize the strain on the PSNI's budget and the impact on policing from its involvement in legacy investigations.

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The UK Government needs to recognise the drain on the PSNI’s already stretched budget and impact on day-to-day policing of the service’s involvement in legacy investigation.