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NORTHERN IRELAND’S CHIEF constable has said the number of Catholics applying to join police is lower than he would like to see.
Around 3,500 applications have been received in the latest recruitment campaign for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which closes on Wednesday.
Of those, approximately 27% were by those who identify as Catholic.
The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland Liam Kelly called for “major societal changes” to encourage more Catholics to apply to the PSNI.
Kelly said figures on the religious breakdown of applicants in the latest recruitment campaign showed there was still “a hill to climb” when it came to attracting numbers that more accurately reflect the wider population.
He made comments following a BBC NI interview with the Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, in which he noted that the number of Catholics who have applied to join the PSNI is well below what it needs to be.
“The figures are not what I want. There is no doubt about that. But Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Boutcher said.
He added that it is “critically important” that the PSNI is representative.
“I am very focused on trying to make sure that we do everything we possibly can.
“This is the first campaign since 2021 and we’ve reached into not just the nationalist community but the Protestant working class communities, ethnic minority communities.
“I’ve done that personally, all my colleagues have done that, to try and get more interest from people who would not traditionally have thought about the PSNI as an occupation.
“It’s a tough challenge but it’s one we’re up for.”
Kelly countered Boutcher’s remarks, adding that “a number of impediments are there to make Catholics turn away from a job in policing.”
“The Chief Constable, in a BBC interview, said that 27% of the 3,500 applicants came from a Catholic background and that is some way off the workforce balance that is required,” Kelly said.
“We still have the threat that’s posed by murderous dissident gangs and that’s a big issue for people in areas where these thugs operate.
Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland which represents rank and file officers, added that “societal changes are required” to tackle the recruitment issue.
“Potential applicants must get to the point where they can seek a career in policing without suffering intimidation or threats,” Kelly said.
“I have a number of Catholic colleagues who are unable to return home to visit parents and relatives, and that is an intolerable situation.
“Applicants should not feel they are going to lose their family networks or their friends but, sadly, too many feel that is exactly what would happen if they became police officers.
Between 2001 and 2011 there was a 50-50 recruitment initiative which meant there was one Catholic recruit for every one person from a Protestant or other background.
Since then, there has been no legislation to address the issue.
“Society has to change the way it views policing, generally, and provide the encouragement that is needed to make it possible for more Catholics to become officers serving the entire community,” Kelly said.
“Ultimately, we want applicants from all backgrounds who will make good police officers. That cannot be based on their religious affiliations but rather on their skills and all-round ability to do the job without fear or favour.”
The PSNI launched a new recruitment campaign last month, which is their first since 2021.
Applications are below the last two recruitment drives, which attracted 5,300 and 6,900 applicants respectively.
In terms of overall numbers, Boutcher said if the PSNI had kept pace with forces in England, Scotland and Wales there would be probably be around 8,000-8,500 officers.
He said the lower number of applicants is “mirroring” what is seen in other parts of the UK and Ireland, with other forces struggling to attract numbers.
Additional reporting from PA.
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Maybe peer pressure, but I suspect a bit of the old culture is still there!
@Brian Hunt: That’s the attitude that will keep the country divided.
@John Murphy: so are you saying over half the population of the 6 counties don’t work ???
You don’t half talk a load of old bollocks
@J B: why is it good pray tell???
No surprise, tis full of prods and run by prods, and is beholden to the Brit government
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: Reply was to qff****. That’s the attitude that will keep the country divided.
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: There’s only one way to change that.
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: Belfast Army Council is more attractive to the shinners.
@Tim Brennan: are the shinners in the room with you now ?
You thick bollocks
Why didn’t the UK give NI back to Ireland in the 1960s it gave many countries back.
It should of also been a condition to join the EU in the 70s.
There needs to be All Island police force and justice system that can enter both jurisdictions without being told “we’re approaching the Irish invisible line” as crime doesn’t stop here at this invisible line, it gets worse.
The GFA/BA should have included this in 1998 that we would have a united front on these Departmental issues from Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Justice and Law Reform Enforcement, Transport and Sport, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Health
@Tommy: Eh no thanks. Regardless of what you think Ireland isn’t a country it’s an island. An island with 2 separate countries which means 2 separate police forces. Let’s keep it that way thanks
@Ger Whelan: Northen Ireland isn’t a country, just 6 counties of the 9 counties province of Ulster.
@Lulu: Northern is indeed a country. 1 island 2 countries on the island
@Ger Whelan: feck me ,thank god you weren’t around in 1916,you would have ran to help the Tans
does anybody else think the journal releases very (and i hate to use the word) triggering articles in the late hours of the eve to get the comments section going…? lol .. the journal staff are on the ball I have to say..
Public Relation nonsense. The RUC trying to convince us that they’re interested in native recruits while today they’re still fighting tooth and nail in the courts so the families of victims that were killed by Loyalist paras, British army and themselves don’t get the information they deserve.
@Uí Braonáin: PSNI not RUC,but yes you are correct,the organisation itself is completely corrupt,it was set up to properly up the British state and that is all it has ever done ,which makes it all the more astonishing that the top 2 jobs in the Garda are held by two ex RUC .
Colour me seacht
15 years of tory government, The assembly not sitting for years and the grubby deal done between the Dup and the tories has stagnated any really change up north
Who would want to join that inbred bigoted organisation who couloided with loyalist terrorists in the murder of innocent nationalists civilians. It is a cesspool of vipers
No way!
Maybe they should adopt the approach. We have down here by giving loads of public senior jobs to people from Northern Ireland essentially forcing forcing the move towards 32 counties. If the chief of police was from the 26 counties and he was Catholic that might encourage more Catholics in the north to join
More targets the RUC have missed I see :-)
I’d image it’s police work in general that is off putting not anyone’s religion. Not for half a million a year would I do it. Give me a handy gig typing scutter in a cozy office anyday with weekends and big holidays off all the time.
No Catholics join. Then complain it’s all Protestant lol
The shinners need to get off the fence and encourage nationalists to join
We can send them up Muslims Arabs all sorts down here
The Six-County state is abnormal, undemocratic and deeply sectarian, no amount of window dressing will change that fact. Changing the name and the cap badge does not change the nature of what is a colonial police force
Religion is a crackpot. No surprise here.
North of Ireland actually…apparently Trump wants to own it and turn it into the Riviera of Ireland . Clown
have your say