The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is facing a critical situation with officer numbers at an all-time low, prompting the launch of a large-scale recruitment campaign aimed at reversing the decline. With the current force standing at 6,300 officers, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has set a target of 7,000 officers by 2028. The PSNI is seeking an additional £200 million in funding from the Northern Ireland Executive to support this ambitious plan, which includes recruitment efforts as well as the hiring of civilian staff to bolster operations.
The police service has struggled in recent years with both recruitment and retention, with the numbers of new recruits failing to keep up with the number of officers leaving or retiring. This has left the PSNI facing a staffing shortage that has had serious implications for its ability to serve and protect communities across Northern Ireland. Boutcher has described the situation as a “watershed moment” for the PSNI, stressing that the force’s financial difficulties have been at the root of this issue, making it harder for the police to meet their operational needs.
As part of the recruitment drive, the PSNI is offering new officers a starting salary of £34,000, which includes a £4,000 “danger money” allowance to acknowledge the high-risk nature of the job. The salary offer is designed to attract recruits who might be deterred by the challenges of policing in an often complex and high-risk environment. This is the first significant recruitment push since 2021, making it a key step in addressing the officer shortage that has plagued the PSNI in recent years.
The issue of police numbers in Northern Ireland has been a subject of considerable debate. The New Decade New Approach deal in 2020 set a political commitment to a target of 7,500 officers, based on policing reforms agreed two decades ago. However, the PSNI has argued that the true requirement is even greater. In 2023, the service made the case for 8,500 officers, citing comparisons with other UK police forces and the rising demands placed on law enforcement.
The decision about the number of officers, however, remains an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The PSNI is required to manage its staffing levels within the allocated budget it receives from the Department of Justice. Minister Naomi Long has expressed concern over the current situation, calling for urgent action to stabilize and improve police numbers. She emphasized that adequate funding and support for the police force are crucial for maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law in Northern Ireland.
In addition to addressing the need for more officers, the PSNI’s plan also includes the hiring of 400 civilian staff. These additional personnel are expected to support operational functions, easing the workload of uniformed officers and enabling the force to operate more efficiently. The combined effort to increase both officer and civilian staff numbers is seen as essential for the PSNI to cope with the rising demands placed on the force.
This recruitment drive and funding request come at a time when public safety and effective policing are top priorities in Northern Ireland. Chief Constable Boutcher has stressed that the PSNI must act swiftly to recruit the necessary personnel and ensure that the police force can meet the challenges of policing in a changing landscape. The success of this campaign will depend on securing the required funding from Stormont, as well as public support for the efforts to stabilize and grow the police service in the coming years.
