Menu
31/03/2009
Police Attracts Record Numbers Of Catholic Recruits
Catholic composition within Northern Ireland's police force now stands at just over 26%, the highest level since the introduction of temporary 50:50 recruitment provisions in 2001.
The NIO Policing Minister Paul Goggins revealed the details today in a written ministerial statement to the House of Commons in London.
Mr Goggins underlined the Government's commitment to addressing the religious imbalance within the Police Service NI and confirmed that it is on course to reach the 30% composition target by 2010/11, as stated in the ground-breaking Patten Report.
"Since the introduction of the temporary 50:50 provisions in 2001, tremendous progress has been made towards a more representative police service and our ultimate goal of 30% Catholic composition.
"At the time of the Patten Report the Catholic composition was just 8.3%, today it is 26.14%," he explained.
The gains are despite the murder of the first PSNI officer since the force's formation from the previous Royal Ulster Constabulary, and also stretch to higher numbers of female recruits and those from ethnic minorities.
"Female composition has nearly doubled, from 12% in 2001 to 23.43% today and there are currently 31 officers from an ethnic minority background including Pakistani, Black Caribbean, Chinese and Indian," he continued, noting that the St Andrews Agreement makes it clear that the temporary 50:50 recruitment arrangements to the PSNI will lapse when the Government's target of 30% Catholic officers has been achieved.
"We are on course to reach this target by 2010/2011," he said.
(BMcC/JM)
The NIO Policing Minister Paul Goggins revealed the details today in a written ministerial statement to the House of Commons in London.
Mr Goggins underlined the Government's commitment to addressing the religious imbalance within the Police Service NI and confirmed that it is on course to reach the 30% composition target by 2010/11, as stated in the ground-breaking Patten Report.
"Since the introduction of the temporary 50:50 provisions in 2001, tremendous progress has been made towards a more representative police service and our ultimate goal of 30% Catholic composition.
"At the time of the Patten Report the Catholic composition was just 8.3%, today it is 26.14%," he explained.
The gains are despite the murder of the first PSNI officer since the force's formation from the previous Royal Ulster Constabulary, and also stretch to higher numbers of female recruits and those from ethnic minorities.
"Female composition has nearly doubled, from 12% in 2001 to 23.43% today and there are currently 31 officers from an ethnic minority background including Pakistani, Black Caribbean, Chinese and Indian," he continued, noting that the St Andrews Agreement makes it clear that the temporary 50:50 recruitment arrangements to the PSNI will lapse when the Government's target of 30% Catholic officers has been achieved.
"We are on course to reach this target by 2010/2011," he said.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 April 2008
Senior Catholic Police Officer To Step Down
Northern Ireland's most senior Catholic police officer is to step down from his post as Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, it has been revealed. Peter Sheridan, who started his career as a cadet in the RUC over 30 years ago, will join the cross-border group Co-operation Ireland. He will take up the post in September.
Senior Catholic Police Officer To Step Down
Northern Ireland's most senior Catholic police officer is to step down from his post as Assistant Chief Constable of the PSNI, it has been revealed. Peter Sheridan, who started his career as a cadet in the RUC over 30 years ago, will join the cross-border group Co-operation Ireland. He will take up the post in September.
26 October 2007
PSNI On Target For Catholic Recruits
Ongoing work to increase the number of Catholics in Northern Ireland’s police service seems to be having an impact. Almost a quarter of PSNI officers are now from the Catholic community, latest figures show.
PSNI On Target For Catholic Recruits
Ongoing work to increase the number of Catholics in Northern Ireland’s police service seems to be having an impact. Almost a quarter of PSNI officers are now from the Catholic community, latest figures show.
06 March 2008
PSNI Equality On Target
The security minister has told parliament catholic representation in the PSNI is "on target". Catholic numbers in the PSNI have continued to increase due to the positive discrimination policy, which favours the recruitment of Catholic applicants who were historically heavily underrepresented.
PSNI Equality On Target
The security minister has told parliament catholic representation in the PSNI is "on target". Catholic numbers in the PSNI have continued to increase due to the positive discrimination policy, which favours the recruitment of Catholic applicants who were historically heavily underrepresented.
28 March 2007
House of Lords vote for ‘50/50’ police force
The House of Lords has renewed the 50/50 recruitment rule for the PSNI by a majority of 44. It puts into practice a recommendation made in 1999 by Lord Patten that the local police force should be split evenly between Catholics and Protestants. The result of the vote was 141 to 97.
House of Lords vote for ‘50/50’ police force
The House of Lords has renewed the 50/50 recruitment rule for the PSNI by a majority of 44. It puts into practice a recommendation made in 1999 by Lord Patten that the local police force should be split evenly between Catholics and Protestants. The result of the vote was 141 to 97.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
