View source for Police Service of Northern Ireland

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Redirect|PSNI}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}

{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Police Service of Northern Ireland
| nativename        = <small>{{lang|ga|Seirbhís Póilíneachta Thuaisceart Éireann}}<br />{{lang|sco|Polis Service o Norlin Airlan}}</small>
| nativenamea       = 
| nativenamer       = 
| commonname        = 
| abbreviation      = PSNI
| fictional         = 
| patch             = 
| patchcaption      = 
| logo              = 
| logocaption       = 
| badge             = Police Service of Northern Ireland badge.svg
| badgecaption      = The Service Emblem
| flag              = 
| flagcaption       = 
| imagesize         = 
| motto             = Keeping People Safe
| mottotranslated   = 
| formed            = {{start date and age|2001|11|4|df=yes}}
| preceding1        = [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]]
| dissolved         = 
| superseding       = 
| volunteers        = 
| budget            = £844.5{{nbsp}}million (2024/25)<ref name="PSNI Budget">{{cite web|title = NI Assembly Question PAQO 750/22 27|work=Northern Ireland Assembly AIMS Portal|url=https://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/questions/printquestionsummary.aspx?docid=447088|access-date=2 October 2025|date = 24 July 2025}}</ref>
| legalpersonality  = Police service
| country           = Northern Ireland
| countryabbr       = 
| national          = Yes
| divtype           = 
| divname           = 
| map               = PSNI Map Northern Ireland.png
| mapcaption        = Police Service of Northern Ireland area
| sizearea          = {{Convert|14130|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name="ONS Countries">{{cite web |title=The Countries of the UK |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/geography/beginner-s-guide/administrative/the-countries-of-the-uk/index.html |website=Office for National Statistics |publisher=Office for National Statistics (United Kingdom) |access-date=26 November 2021 |ref=ONS Countries |archive-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101130117/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/geography/beginner-s-guide/administrative/the-countries-of-the-uk/index.html |date=8 January 2016 |author=ONS Geography |url-status=live}}</ref>
| sizepopulation    = 1,903,175 <ref name="NI Population">{{cite web|title= Mid-Year Population Estimates|url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/population/mid-year-population-estimates|publisher= Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency|access-date= 22 November 2023}}</ref>
| legaljuris        = 
| governingbody     = Northern Ireland Executive <!-- Name of the governing body which is responsible for the agency, the law-making body -->
| governingbodyscnd = 
| constitution1     = [[Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000]]
| police            = Yes
| local             = 
| military          = 
| provost           = 
| gendarmerie       = 
| religious         = 
| speciality1       = 
| secret            = 
| oversighttype     = 
| oversightbody     = [[Northern Ireland Policing Board]]
| headquarters      = [[Belfast]]<ref name="PSNI Contact Details">{{cite web |title=Police Service of Northern Ireland |url=https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/contacts-az/police-service-northern-ireland |website=nidirect |date=13 October 2015 |access-date=6 November 2019}}</ref>
| hqlocmap          = 
| hqlocmapwidth     = 
| hqlocmapheight    = 
| hqlocmapborder    = 
| hqlocleft         = 
| hqloctop          = 
| hqlocmappoptitle  = 
| sworntype         = Police officer
| sworn             = 6,422
| unsworntype       = Police civilian
| unsworn           = 2,297
| multinational     = 
| electeetype       = 
| minister1name     = 
| minister1pfo      = [[Department of Justice (Northern Ireland)|Minister for Justice]]
| chief1name        = [[Jon Boutcher]]
| chief1position    = Chief Constable
| chief2name        = [[Bobby Singleton (police officer)|Bobby Singleton]]
| chief2position    = Deputy Chief Constable
| chief3name        = Pamela McCreedy
| chief3position    = Chief Operating Officer
| parentagency      = 
| child1agency      = 
| unittype          = Department
| unitname          = {{collapsible list |title=12 | Crime Operations Department | Criminal Justice Department | Human Resources Department | Department of Media and Public Relations | Professional Standards Department | Search and Rescue Team | Crime Support Department | Finance and Support Services | Legal Services Department | Operational Support Department | Rural Region | Urban Region }}
| officetype        = Region
| officename        = 8 (11 District)
| provideragency    = 
| uniformedas       = 
| stationtype       = 
| stations          = 32<ref name="PSNI Stations">{{cite report|author= Police Service of Northern Ireland|date= December 2021|title=Locations of Police Stations|url=https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/Download/People%20and%20Places/Police%20Stations.ods|access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
| airbases          = 
| lockuptype        = 
| lockups           = 
| vehicle1type      = 
| vehicles1         = 
| boat1type         = Watercraft
| boats1            = Yes
| aircraft1type     = Aircraft
| aircraft1         = 3 helicopters<br />1 fixed-wing
| animal1type       = Dog
| animals1          = 28<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psni.police.uk/police_dogs.pdf |title=Freedom of Information Request : Police Dogs Owned and/or Used by PSNI |publisher=Psni.police.uk |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824102656/http://www.psni.police.uk/police_dogs.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| person1name       = 
| person1reason     = 
| person1type       = 
| programme1        = 
| activity1name     = 
| activitytype      = 
| anniversary1      = 
| website           = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes         = 
| reference         = 
}}
{{Law enforcement in the United Kingdom}}
The '''Police Service of Northern Ireland''' ('''PSNI'''; {{langx|ga|Seirbhís Póilíneachta Thuaisceart Éireann}};<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Faisnéis as Gaeilge faoi Sheirbhís Póilíneachta Thuaisceart Éireann 
 |work=Police Service of Northern Ireland 
 |url=http://www.psni.police.uk/irish.pdf 
 |access-date=2 March 2009 
 |language=Irish 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318192302/http://www.psni.police.uk/irish.pdf 
 |archive-date=18 March 2009 
}}</ref> {{Langx|sco|Polis Service o Norlin Airlan|label=[[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]]}}), is the [[Territorial police force#United Kingdom|police service]] responsible for [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom|law enforcement]] and the prevention of crime within [[Northern Ireland]].

It is the successor to the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC) after it was reformed and renamed in 2001 on the recommendation of the [[Patten Report]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Devolution in the United Kingdom|last=Russell|first=Deacon|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=2012|isbn=978-0748669738|pages=218}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-19809243|title=PSNI rehiring must be transparent|date=3 October 2012|access-date=25 April 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425001728/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-19809243|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/management-of-an-garda-s%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-1.3030975|title=Management of An Garda Síochána|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713082828/https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/management-of-an-garda-s%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-1.3030975|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NFr9NteKEagC&pg=PA226|title=The A to the Z of the Northern Ireland Conflict|last=Gillespie|first=Gordon|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0810870451|pages=226|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913101624/https://books.google.com/books?id=NFr9NteKEagC&pg=PA226|url-status=live}}</ref>

The PSNI is the third-largest police service in the [[United Kingdom]] in terms of officer numbers (after the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] and [[Police Scotland]]) and the second-largest in terms of geographic area of responsibility, after Police Scotland. The PSNI is approximately half the size of [[Garda Síochána]] in terms of officer numbers.

==Background==
As part of the [[Good Friday Agreement]], there was an agreement to introduce a new police service initially based on the body of constables of the RUC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/patten99.pdf |title=A New Beginning : Policing in Northern Ireland |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824111831/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/patten99.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Statutelaw2021" /> As part of the reform, an [[Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland]] (the Patten Commission) was set up, and the RUC was replaced by the PSNI on 4 November 2001.<ref>McGoldrick, Stacey and McArdle, Andrea (2006). ''Uniform Behavior: Police Localism and National Politics''. Palgrave Macmillan, p. 116. {{ISBN|1403983313}}</ref><ref>Morrison, John F. (2013). ''Origins and Rise of Dissident Irish Republicanism: The Role and Impact of Organizational Splits''. A&C Black, p. 189. {{ISBN|1623566770}}</ref> The [[Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000]] named the new police service as the '''Police Service of Northern Ireland (incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary)'''; shortened to '''Police Service of Northern Ireland''' for operational purposes.<ref name="Statutelaw2021">{{cite web |url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=1754588 |title=Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 |publisher=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923125008/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/32/section/1/2002-04-15?timeline=true |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>s.1, Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000</ref>

Although the majority of PSNI officers are [[Ulster Protestant]]s, this dominance is not as pronounced as it was in the RUC because of [[Affirmative action|positive action]] policies. The RUC was a militarised police force<ref>{{Cite book|last1=McGoldrick|first1=S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_VnHAAAAQBAJ&q=%22a+military+force%22&pg=PA111|title=Uniform Behavior: Police Localism and National Politics|last2=McArdle|first2=A.|date=23 July 2006|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4039-8331-2|pages=111|language=en|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923124955/https://books.google.com/books?id=_VnHAAAAQBAJ&q=%22a+military+force%22&pg=PA111|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Dingley|first=James|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CVJ_AgAAQBAJ&q=%22militarized+security+force%22&pg=PA177|title=Combating Terrorism in Northern Ireland|date=13 October 2008|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-21046-6|pages=177|language=en|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923124935/https://books.google.com/books?id=CVJ_AgAAQBAJ&q=%22militarized+security+force%22&pg=PA177|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mulcahy|first=Aogan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2vacXj3rMxwC&q=%22heavily+militarized%22&pg=PA70|title=Policing Northern Ireland|date=17 June 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-01995-3|pages=111|language=en|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923124935/https://books.google.com/books?id=2vacXj3rMxwC&q=%22heavily+militarized%22&pg=PA70|url-status=live}}</ref> and played a key role in policing the violent conflict known as [[the Troubles]].

Initially, [[Sinn Féin]], which represented about a quarter of Northern Ireland voters at the time, refused to endorse the PSNI until the Patten Commission's recommendations were implemented in full. However, as part of the [[St Andrews Agreement]], Sinn Féin announced its full acceptance of the PSNI in January 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=SF delegates vote to support policing|work=[[RTÉ News]]|publisher=[[RTÉ.ie]]|date=28 January 2007|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0128/northpolitics.html|access-date=5 June 2007|quote=The Sinn Féin decision in favour of supporting policing in Northern Ireland for the first time ever has been welcomed in Dublin, London and Belfast.|archive-date=5 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205044638/http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0128/northpolitics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> All major political parties in Northern Ireland now support the PSNI.

==Organisation==
The senior officer in charge of the PSNI is its [[chief constable]]. The chief constable is appointed by the [[Northern Ireland Policing Board]], subject to the approval of the [[Department of Justice (Northern Ireland)|Minister of Justice for Northern Ireland]]. The Chief Constable of Northern Ireland is the third-highest paid police officer in the UK (after the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the [[Metropolitan Police]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.police-information.co.uk/policepay.htm|title=Police Pay Review|publisher=Police-information.co.uk|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=14 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514175023/https://www.police-information.co.uk/policepay.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The current [[chief constable]] is [[Jon Boutcher]], who was appointed on an interim basis after the resignation of [[Simon Byrne (police officer)|Simon Byrne]] in September 2023 and successful in being officially confirmed as chief constable on 7 November 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2023 |title=PSNI: Jon Boutcher picked as interim chief constable |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67006063 |access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref>

The [[police area]] is divided into eight districts, each headed by a chief superintendent. Districts are divided into areas, each commanded by a chief inspector; these in turn are divided into sectors, each commanded by an inspector. In recent years, under new structural reforms, some chief inspectors command more than one area as the PSNI strives to make savings.

In 2001 the old police divisions and sub-divisions were replaced with 29 district command units (DCUs), broadly coterminous with local council areas. In 2007 the DCUs were replaced by eight districts ('A' to 'H') in anticipation of local government restructuring under the Review of Public Administration. Responsibility for policing and justice was devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 March 2010, although direction and control of the PSNI remains under the chief constable.

In addition to the PSNI, there are other agencies which have responsibility for specific parts of Northern Ireland's transport infrastructure:
* [[Belfast Harbour Police]]
* [[Belfast International Airport Constabulary]]

==Jurisdiction==
PSNI officers have full powers of a constable throughout [[Northern Ireland]] and the adjacent United Kingdom waters. Other than in mutual aid circumstances they have more limited powers of a constable in the other two legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom—[[England and Wales]], and [[Scotland]]. Police staff, although non-warranted members of the service, contribute to both back-office, operational support and front-line services, sometimes operating alongside warranted colleagues.

===Co-operation with Garda Síochána===
The [[Patten Report]] recommended that a programme of long-term personnel exchanges should be established between the PSNI and the [[Garda Síochána]], the national police force of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. This recommendation was enacted in 2002 by an Inter-Governmental Agreement on Policing Cooperation, which set the basis for the exchange of officers between the two services.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly |url=http://www.britishirish.org/assets/A-Report-on-Cross-Border-Cooperation-between-Police-Forces-July-2008.pdf|title=Committee A (Sovereign Matters) on Cross Border Cooperation between Police Forces|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211135128/http://www.britishirish.org/assets/A-Report-on-Cross-Border-Cooperation-between-Police-Forces-July-2008.pdf|archive-date=11 December 2013|date=July 2008}}</ref> There are three levels of exchanges:
* Personnel exchanges, for all ranks, without policing powers and for a term up to one year
* Secondments: for ranks from sergeant to chief superintendent, with policing powers, for up to three years
* Lateral entry by the permanent transfer of officers for ranks above inspector and under assistant commissioner

The protocols for these movements of personnel were signed by both the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the [[Garda Commissioner]] on 21 February 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psni.police.uk/lateral_entry.pdf  |title=Freedom of Information Request : Human Resources |publisher=Psni.police.uk |access-date=1 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402133000/http://www.psni.police.uk/lateral_entry.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2014 }}</ref>

==Accountability==
The PSNI is supervised by the [[Northern Ireland Policing Board]].

The [[Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland]] deals with any complaints regarding the PSNI, and investigates any allegations of misconduct by police officers. Police staff do not fall under the ombudsman's jurisdiction. The current Police Ombudsman is Marie Anderson, who took over from [[Michael Maguire (ombudsman)|Michael Maguire]] in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland - New Police Ombudsman takes up post |url=https://www.policeombudsman.org/news/new-police-ombudsman-takes-up-post |access-date=8 January 2025 |website=Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland |language=en}}</ref>

The PSNI is also internally regulated by its Professional Standards Department, who can direct local "professional standards champions" (superintendents at district level) to investigate relatively minor matters, while a "misconduct panel" will consider more serious misconduct issues. Outcomes from misconduct hearings include dismissal, a requirement to resign, reduction in rank, monetary fines and cautions.

==Recruitment==
[[File:PSNI Saintfield.jpg|thumb|right|[[Saintfield]] police station]]
[[File:Moira Police Station - geograph.org.uk - 521663.jpg|thumb|right|Moira police station]]
The PSNI was initially legally obliged to operate an [[affirmative action]] policy of recruiting 50% of its trainee officers from a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] background and 50% from a non-Catholic background, as recommended by the [[Patten Report]], in order to address the under-representation of Catholics that had existed for many decades in policing; in 2001 the RUC was almost 92% Protestant. Many unionist politicians said the "50:50" policy was unfair, and when the Bill to set up the PSNI was going through Parliament, Minister of State [[Adam Ingram (Labour politician)|Adam Ingram]] stated: "[[Dominic Grieve]] referred to positive discrimination and we hold our hands up. Clause 43 refers to discrimination and appointments and there is no point in saying that that is anything other than positive discrimination."<ref>{{cite web |author=House of Commons Department of the Official Report (Hansard)|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmstand/b/st000627/pm/pt2/00627s04.htm |title=House of Commons Standing Committee B (pt 4) |publisher=Publications.parliament.uk |date=27 June 2000 |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130155/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmstand/b/st000627/pm/pt2/00627s04.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the [[Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission]] cited international human rights law to show that special measures to secure minority participation were in accordance with human rights standards and did not in law constitute 'discrimination'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nihrc.org/dms/data/NIHRC/attachments/dd/files/114/Response_on_review_of_Police_%28NI%29_Act_temporary_provisions_2009_%28January_2010%29.pdf |title=Response on the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000: Review of Temporary Recruitment Provisions |date=January 2010  |website=[[Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218113901/http://www.nihrc.org/dms/data/NIHRC/attachments/dd/files/114/Response_on_review_of_Police_%28NI%29_Act_temporary_provisions_2009_%28January_2010%29.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

By February 2011, 29.7% of the 7,200 officers were from a Catholic background, but among the 2,500 police staff (non-warranted members), where the 50:50 rule operated only for larger recruitment drives, the proportion of Catholics was just 18%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/updates_statistics/updates_workforce_composition_figures.htm |title=Workforce Composition Figures &#124; Police Service of Northern Ireland |publisher=Psni.police.uk |date=1 October 2008 |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824013707/http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/updates_statistics/updates_workforce_composition_figures.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The British Government nevertheless proposed to end the 50:50 measure, and provisions for 'lateral entry' of Catholic officers from other police forces, with effect from the end of March 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/50_50_consultation_paper_october_2009.pdf |title=Consultation Paper: Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 –review of temporary recruitment provisions |date=30 October 2009 |website=[[Northern Ireland Office]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214082755/http://www.nio.gov.uk/50_50_consultation_paper_october_2009.pdf |archive-date=14 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Following a public consultation the special measures were ended in respect of police officers and police staff in April 2011.

[[Deloitte]] conducted recruitment exercises on behalf of the PSNI, and was the dominant firm in the [[Consensia partnership|Consensia Partnership]] which existed from 2001 to 2009.

As of 2017, the PSNI have announced that it will be introducing new schemes to increase the number of Catholics in the force. The PSNI is focusing on tackling the fear factor of joining the service as violent dissident Republicans are discouraging Catholics from joining and continue to attack Catholic officers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-10866072 |title=Timeline of Irish dissident activity |date=20 April 2019 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=26 May 2019 |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428080347/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-10866072 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Policies==
In September 2006 it was confirmed that Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie approved the PSNI policy of using children as informants including in exceptional circumstances to inform on their own family, but not their parents. The document added safeguards including having a parent or "appropriate adult" present at meetings between juveniles and their handler. It also stressed a child's welfare should be paramount when considering the controversial tactics and required that any risk had been properly explained to them and a risk assessment completed.<ref>
{{cite news
  |title=PSNI allowed to use child informers
  |work=[[UTV News]]
  |publisher=[[u.tv]]
  |date=1 September 2006
  |url=http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?pt=n&id=76432
  |access-date=5 June 2007
  |quote=The Police Service of Northern Ireland policy, 'Children as Covert Human Intelligence Sources' was approved by Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie in February 2005 as part of its child protection policy. In June 2009, Judith Gillespie was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief Constable, the high rank obtained by a female.
  |url-status=dead
  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155127/http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?pt=n&id=76432
  |archive-date=30 September 2007
  }}
</ref>

==Structure==
As of April 2023, the PSNI is structured with the following departments:

Crime Department<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/crime | title=Crime &#124PSNI }}</ref>
* Organised Crime Branch
* Serious Crime Branch
* Intelligence Branch
* Specialist Operations Branch 
* Crime Support Branch
* Public Protection Branch
Justice Department<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/justice | title=Justice &#124PSNI }}</ref>
* Legacy and Disclosure Branch
* Criminal Justice Branch
* Contact Management
* Custody
Local Policing<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/local-policing | title=Local Policing &#124PSNI }}</ref>

Operational Support<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/operational-support | title=Operational Support &#124PSNI }}</ref>
* Armed Response Unit 
* Close Protection Unit 
* Dog Section 
* Emergency Planning Unit 
* Firearms and Explosives Branch 
* Information Security Unit 
* Operational Planning Hub 
* Operational Policy Unit 
* Police Search Advisor 
* Operational and Tactical Development Unit 
* Tactical Support Group 
* Road Policing Unit 
* Scientific Support
People and Organisational Development<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/people-and-organisational-development | title=People and Organisational Development &#124PSNI }}</ref>

Strategic Planning and Transformation<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/strategic-planning-and-transformation | title=Strategic Planning and Transformation &#124PSNI }}</ref>

Professional Standards Department<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/professional-standards-department | title=Professional Standards Department &#124PSNI }}</ref>
* Discipline Branch
* Anti-Corruption Unit
* Service Vetting Unit
Corporate Services<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-departments/corporate-services | title=Corporate Services &#124PSNI }}</ref>

==Specialist units==
===Armed Response Unit===
Specially-trained Armed Response Unit (ARU) officers support other parts of PSNI when faced with people who are carrying weapons such as knives and firearms.

===Headquarters Mobile Support Unit===
[[Headquarters Mobile Support Unit]] (HMSU) is the tactical unit of the PSNI. HMSU officers are trained to Specialist Firearms Officer (SFO) and [[Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer]] (CTSFO) standards. They undergo a 26-week training program including firearms, unarmed combat, roping, driving and photography.

===Tactical Support Group===
Tactical Support Group (TSG) officers provide a range of core and specialist services to district policing teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.psni.police.uk/inside-psni/our-departments/operational-support/tactical-support-group/|title=Tactical Support Group|website=www.psni.police.uk|access-date=26 May 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801134017/https://www.psni.police.uk/inside-psni/our-departments/operational-support/tactical-support-group/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Core TSG functions include public order, counter terrorism and crime reduction, community safety, crime scene response, and surveillance capability.

==Uniform==
[[File:Hello big buoy - geograph.org.uk - 1279202.jpg|thumb|right|Male and female PSNI officers on a pier in [[Bangor, County Down]]]]

{{See also|Police uniforms and equipment in the United Kingdom}}
The colour of the [[Police uniforms and equipment in the United Kingdom#Northern Ireland|PSNI uniform]] is [[bottle green]]. Pre-1970s RUC uniforms retained a dark green called [[rifle green]], which was often mistaken as black. A lighter shade of green was introduced following the [[Hunt Report]] in the early 1970s, although Hunt recommended that British blue should be introduced. The Patten report, however, recommended the retention of the green uniform (Recommendation No. 154).<ref name="patten">{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/recommend.htm#prof|title=CAIN: The Patten Report on Policing: Summary of Recommendations, 9 September 1999|date=9 September 1999|publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk|access-date=27 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513195243/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/police/patten/recommend.htm|archive-date=13 May 2008}}</ref> The RUC officially described this as 'rifle green'. When the six new versions of the PSNI uniform were introduced, in March 2002, the term 'bottle green' was used for basically the same colour to convey a less militaristic theme.
In 2018 a formal review was launched about the current uniform after officers gave feedback on it.

On 31 January 2022, a new uniform was introduced for frontline officers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/psni-officers-wear-brand-new-uniform-for-first-time-in-20-years-41294921.html|title=PSNI officers wear brand new uniform for first time in 20 years|newspaper=[[Belfast Telegraph]]|first=Niamh|last=Campbell|date=31 January 2022|access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref> This change replaced the white shirt and tie that was worn since 2001 with a green wicking material t-shirt.  This new style shirt is embroidered with the PSNI crest on the left breast and the word Police on the left collar and both sleeves. The new shirt also facilitates the wearing of epaulettes to display rank and numerals. This modern workwear is similar to that of [[Police Scotland]] aside from colour and to uniforms of some police services in England and Wales. Officer headwear has remained the same and traditionally consists of [[Peaked cap#Police|peaked caps]] for males and [[Kepi#Northern Ireland|kepi]] style hats for females. [[Baseball cap#United Kingdom|Baseball style caps]] are worn by tactical units.

===Badge and flag===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Police Service of Northern Ireland badge.svg|center|175x175px]]
|''"The design of the emblem for the police is the design illustrated in Schedule 1 to these Regulations."''
----—Police Emblems and Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, Section 3<ref name="EmblemsFlags2022">{{Cite web |title=Police Emblems and Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2002/23/made |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220808225200/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2002/23/made |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=www.legislation.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|<blockquote>The PSNI badge features the [[Saint Patrick's saltire|St. Patrick's saltire]], and six symbols representing different and shared traditions:
* The [[Lady Justice|Scales of Justice]] (representing equality and justice)
* A [[crown (headgear)|crown]] (a traditional symbol of royalty but ''not'' the [[St Edward's Crown]] worn by or representing the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British Sovereign]])
* The [[harp]] (a traditional Irish symbol but ''not'' the [[Brian Boru harp]] used as an official emblem in the [[Republic of Ireland|Republic]])
* A [[torch]] (representing enlightenment and a new beginning)
* An [[olive branch]] (a peace symbol from [[Ancient Greece]])
* A [[shamrock]] (a traditional Irish symbol, used by [[St Patrick]], [[patron saint]] of all Ireland, to explain the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Trinity]])</blockquote>
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|[[File:Police Service of Northern Ireland flag.png|frameless]]
|''"The design of the flag for the police is the design illustrated in Schedule 1 to these Regulations on a dark green background."''
----—Police Emblems and Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, Section 8<ref name="EmblemsFlags2022" />
|}

Under the ''Police Emblems and Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002'' no other flag can be used by the PSNI and it is the only one permitted to be flown on any PSNI building, vehicle, aircraft or vessel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Sr/sr2002/20020023.htm |title=Police Emblems and Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 |publisher=Opsi.gov.uk |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=9 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209110634/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2002/20020023.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = "The emblem explores the notion of inclusiveness and parity through the simple stylistic representation of a variety of symbols that reflect diversity, hope and the desire to mutually respect and protect difference through policing.

"The sunburst surrounding the roundel represents a new beginning or a new dawn for the new Police Service. The shape is echoed in the central star that provides six areas between its rays for a series of symbols - all of equal prominence.

"[The] symbols include scales of justice, a harp, a torch, an olive branch. a shamrock and a crown. The centre piece houses the Cross of St. Patrick which places all six symbols in the context of Northern Ireland.

"The simple rendering of these symbols in a neutral format of things that both unite and divide reflects upon an inclusive society where all our values, common interests and differences are recognised, celebrated and protected."
| author = Pauline McCabe
| source = (quoted by Brendan McDaid in the Derry Journal, Friday 14 December 2001)
| align = right
| width = 50%
}}
In November 2001, the British government published proposals for the emblem of the nascent PSNI - some featured the flax flower or St. Patrick's Saltire, while others lacked any discernible symbols at all.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 November 2001 |title=Unionists reject police badge design |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/1664681.stm |access-date=10 February 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The proposals were roundly rejected by unionists, with the [[Democratic Unionist Party|DUP's]] [[Ian Paisley Jr]] branding them "meaningless". UUP policing board member [[John Taylor, Baron Kilclooney|Lord Kilclooney]] criticised the government for "pre-empting" the decision of the board - he doubted agreement on a symbol could be reached.

An ad hoc committee of the Policing Board was established to carry out further research into a potential design,<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST |url=https://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/files/nipolicingboard/publications/foi-emblems-submitted-to-nipb-by-the-british-government-for-the-psni.pdf |website=Northern Ireland Policing Board}}</ref> comprising six Policing Board members, including three of the Board's 'political members' (i.e. holders of elected political office at that time) and three of its 'independent members'. The committee comprised Pauline McCabe as Chair (McCabe was a business consultant who would later become Prisoner Ombudsman),<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 January 2013 |title=Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe to leave post in May |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21283177 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> the DUP's [[Sammy Wilson (politician)|Sammy Wilson]], the UUP's [[Fred Cobain]], the SDLP's [[Eddie McGrady]], former SDLP communications director [[Tom Kelly (SDLP politician)|Tom Kelly]], and crossbench hereditary peer [[Alan Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough|Viscount Brookeborough]].

This committee reached agreement on the PSNI emblem the following month, which has been used ever since. Notably, the emblem contradicted the Patten recommendations, which called for neutral symbols to be used - instead, a crown, harp and shamrock were all incorporated, thus including symbols to satisfy each side of the community.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McEvoy |first=Joanne |date=February 2011 |title=Managing culture in post-conflict societies |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17450144.2010.534493 |journal=Contemporary Social Science |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=55–71 |doi=10.1080/17450144.2010.534493 |issn=2158-2041}}</ref> The [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland|Secretary of State]] accordingly used the powers granted to them the previous year by [[Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000|new legislation]], to adopt the new symbol.

The UUP, SDLP and DUP all commended the design they had agreed to - these parties had previously won two-thirds of all seats in the Assembly elections in 1998, and together made up 83% of unionists and 57% of nationalists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2011 |title=Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998 |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm |access-date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514205053/http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm |archive-date=14 May 2011 }}</ref>

However, reception was tepid among some unionist politicians. While DUP Foyle MLA and Policing Board member [[Willie Hay, Baron Hay of Ballyore|William Hay]] was enthusiastic about the badge, calling it "genuinely representative of both communities", then-councillor for the DUP, [[Gregory Campbell (politician)|Gregory Campbell]], said he was disappointed at the symbol but remakred that 'it could have been a lot worse'.<ref name="McDaid-crownharp">{{Cite web |last=McDaid |first=Brendan |title=Reaction over 'crown and harp' mixed |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001123/20011214/018/0002 |website=British Newspaper Archive (Derry Journal)}}</ref> In the UUP, future MLA [[Norah Beare]] condemned the badge as "an insult to the memory of the Royal Ulster Constabulary", while UUP councillor Ian Burns suggested there was "little on the new badge to symbolise the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland".<ref name="Shekleton-divided">{{Cite web |last=Shekleton |first=Sarah |title=People of district divided over badge |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005420/20011220/074/0008 |website=British Newspaper Archive (Banbridge Chronicle)}}</ref>

As Sinn Féin did not participate in the Policing Board, they had no input into this process of designing or selecting a logo. The unionist [[News Letter]] commented that "the absence of Sinn Fein undoubtedly made the task of reaching a consensus a lot easier for all concerned".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Badge deal shows positive development on both sides |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005119/20011214/080/0008 |website=British Newspaper Archive (News Letter)}}</ref>

Also not participating were smaller parties - namely, [[Alliance Party of Northern Ireland|Alliance]] (6 MLAs), the [[Northern Ireland Women's Coalition]] (2 MLAs), the [[Progressive Unionist Party]] (2 MLAs), as well as 3 [[Independent Unionist|independent unionist]] MLAs and [[Robert McCartney (Northern Irish politician)|Robert McCartney]], the lone [[UK Unionist Party]] MLA (after the other 4 MLAs for the party broke off and became the [[Northern Ireland Unionist Party]] in 1999). Together, they represented 18 of the Assembly's 108 MLAs - one-sixth. But individually, none of them had enough Assembly seats to be eligible to sit on the Policing Board (the 10 'political' seats are filled based on each party's strength in the Assembly, via the [[d'Hondt method]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2024 |title=New independent members appointed to Northern Ireland Policing Board {{!}} Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/news/new-independent-members-appointed-northern-ireland-policing-board |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=www.justice-ni.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>).

As well as refusing to support the PSNI for several years, Sinn Féin specifically criticised the symbol itself. Derry Sinn Féin councillor Paul Fleming called for the PSNI "to adopt a new badge and symbol which were entirely free from any association with either the British or Irish states". Fleming further described the inclusion of the crown and harp (both of which had been present previously in the RUC's badge) as "at odds with Patten", and criticised the SDLP for 'capitulating' in the face of "unionist pressure".<ref name="McDaid-crownharp" /> Later, the SDLP's West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood hit back at the Sinn Féin criticisms, saying "There is no British crown. There is a crown, a common and shared symbol throughout these islands."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parties harp on over clash of the symbols |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005119/20020308/045/0006 |website=British Newspaper Archive (News Letter)}}</ref>

In the [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003 Assembly election]], Sinn Féin displaced the SDLP as the majority party of nationalism. While Sinn Féin had no formal input into the design of the emblem, in 2007 their ard fheis voted to support the PSNI,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Policing Motion passed at the Special Ard 28th January 2007 |url=https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/16461 |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=www.sinnfein.ie}}</ref> and Sinn Féin has not proposed any change to the emblem - either at that time or since.

Alliance had called for an emblem in line with Patten recommendations, which did not contain specifically British or Irish symbols, but rather neutral symbols, and symbols specific to Northern Ireland, stating:<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2001 |title=Alliance Party - Key Documents |url=http://www.allianceparty.org/html/police_bill.html |access-date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010214043417/http://www.allianceparty.org/html/police_bill.html |archive-date=14 February 2001 }}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text="Alliance has tried to focus the debate on [the substance] rather than [symbols] of policing...

With respect to the emblem, Alliance would prefer something that reflects the community as a whole in Northern Ireland. We would caution against something that seeks to place British and Irish symbols side-by-side. Our preference reflects our vision of a united community rather than one in which Unionism and Nationalism remain separate communities."|author=|title=}}

On the emblem's adoption, one Alliance councillor, Frank McQuaid, expressed his like for the symbol, but that he desired "to get on with the job of policing the people" and that 'far too much time had been wasted' regarding the symbols.<ref name="Shekleton-divided" />

==Equipment==
===Body armour===
[[File:St Patricks Day, Downpatrick, March 2011 (040).JPG|thumb|right|St. Patricks Day, [[Downpatrick]], 2011. The constable on the left is wearing a bulletproof vest while the sergeant on the right is wearing a stab vest]]
[[File:Police officers at the 2011 Belfast riots.jpg|thumb|PSNI officers in riot gear armed with a Heckler & Koch [[Heckler & Koch HK69A1|grenade launcher]] for [[Plastic bullet|baton round]]s during a riot in Belfast, 2011]]
PSNI officers wear overt [[Bulletproof vest#Soft and hard armor|body armour]] vests featuring [[List of body armor performance standards#HOSDB armor standard (United Kingdom)|RF1 standard]] [[ballistic plate]]s, designed to stop high-velocity rifle rounds.

Beginning in December 2007 body armour was required for PSNI officers operating in the [[Belfast|Greater Belfast]] and [[Derry|Greater Derry City]] areas owing to the threat from [[dissident republican]]s.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/dec/13/northernireland.henrymcdonald|title=Belfast police forced back into flak jackets|date=13 December 2007|access-date=10 March 2009|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|first=Henry|last=McDonald|archive-date=12 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912081353/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/dec/13/northernireland.henrymcdonald|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2020, all officers are issued with ballistic body armour; however, in some lower-risk areas, officers are permitted, on an optional basis, to wear [[stab vest]]s, such as those worn by most [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom|UK police]] officers and the [[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]].

In 2019 the PSNI introduced a new integrated body armour system similar to the [[Osprey body armour]] used by the [[British Army]], intended to be lighter and more comfortable to wear.<ref name="New PSNI Body Armour">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=10 October 2019|title=Police chief Byrne shows off officers' new light weight body armour|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-chief-byrne-shows-off-officers-new-light-weight-body-armour/38582023.html |location=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref>

===Firearms===
Due to the elevated threat posed by armed paramilitary groups, and in contrast to the majority of police services in the United Kingdom and the [[Republic of Ireland]], all PSNI officers are routinely armed while on duty, with officers also permitted to carry firearms while off-duty.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Northern Ireland |encyclopedia=[[Encarta]]|publisher=[[msn]]|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761571415&pn=6|access-date=5 June 2007|quote=Unlike police forces in the rest of the United Kingdom, the PSNI is an armed force.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827082253/http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761571415&pn=6|archive-date=27 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2008/organisational-informationgovernance/firearms_held_by_psni.pdf |title=Freedom Of Information Request: F-2008-05034. Firearms held by PSNI |website=[[PSNI]] |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803051241/https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2008/organisational-informationgovernance/firearms_held_by_psni.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/pfoa/docs/top_cover_-_issue_12_-_web|title=Top Cover issue 12|work=Issuu |date=12 May 2017 |access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923124941/https://issuu.com/pfoa/docs/top_cover_-_issue_12_-_web|url-status=live}}</ref>

Historically, RUC officers were issued with the [[Ruger Speed-Six]] revolver and had access to the [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] submachine gun and the [[Heckler & Koch G3]] and [[Heckler & Koch HK33]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2015/operational-policing/missing_psni_firearms_and_ammunition.pdf |title=Freedom Of Information Request: F-2015-02781. Missing PSNI Firearms and Ammuniton |website=[[PSNI]] |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803044224/https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2015/operational-policing/missing_psni_firearms_and_ammunition.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> rifles (which replaced the earlier [[Sterling submachine gun]]s and [[Ruger Mini-14|Ruger AC-556]] select-fire rifles between 1992 and 1995), with the PSNI inheriting these weapons upon formation.

The PSNI's standard issue firearm is the [[Glock|Glock 17]] pistol, which is carried by every operational officer on the ground. The Glock 17 began superseding the Ruger Speed-Six revolvers from 2002 onwards, with only fifteen revolvers remaining in service by 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2015/operational-policing/weapons.pdf |title=Freedom Of Information Request: F-2015-02038. Weapons |website=[[PSNI]] |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803023503/https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2015/operational-policing/weapons.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{fv|date=December 2025}}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2012/organisational-informationgovernance/psni_issue_weapons.pdf |title=Freedom of Information Request F-2012-00171 PSNI Issue weapons |website=Police Service of Northern Ireland |access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=13 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413183614/https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2012/organisational-informationgovernance/psni_issue_weapons.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{fv|date=December 2025}}

The primary long-arm used in the service is the [[Heckler & Koch G36|Heckler & Koch G36K]] carbine, which was procured to supplement and eventually replace the MP5, G3, and HK33.<ref name="Janes2007">''Jane's Police Review'', 4 March 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2017/complaints-and-discipline/29032017/negligent-discharges.pdf |title=Freedom Of Information Request: F-2017-00426 Negligent Discharges |website=[[PSNI]] |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803031339/https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/advice--information/our-publications/disclosure-logs/2017/complaints-and-discipline/29032017/negligent-discharges.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Heckler & Koch HK69A1#Variants|L104 riot guns]] are available for crowd control purposes.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Omega Foundation|title=Baton Rounds - A review of the human rights implications of the introduction and use of the L21A1 baton round in Northern Ireland and proposed alternatives to the baton round|date=March 2003 |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission]] |isbn=978-1903681336|url=http://www.nihrc.org/uploads/publications/baton-rounds-review-human-rights-framework-2003.pdf|access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630164853/https://nihrc.org/uploads/publications/baton-rounds-review-human-rights-framework-2003.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>{{dead|date=December 2025}}

Long arms are still routinely carried in areas of higher threat, such as [[Derry]], [[Belfast]] (particularly north and west), and various border areas.

===Vehicles===
[[File:PSNI Skoda Octavia.jpg|thumb|The [[Škoda Octavia#Third generation (Typ 5E; 2012)|Mk3.5 Škoda Octavia Estate]] constitutes a sizeable percentage of the service's liveried fleet. It is currently being replaced by newer models.]]
[[File:PSNI Land Rovers, Belfast (geograph 7467837) (cropped).jpg|thumb|A PANGOLIN armoured Land Rover in Belfast.]]
The best known PSNI vehicle is the [[Land Rover Tangi]] [[Armoured car (military)|armoured vehicle]], used extensively during the volatile period of the Troubles. In 2011, however, it was announced that some of the ageing Tangi fleet were to be replaced in response to officer safety concerns following the [[2010 Northern Ireland riots]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Old vehicles 'put police at risk' |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/old-vehicles-put-police-at-risk/28696495.html |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=26 December 2011}}</ref> and as of 2021, only four remained in frontline service. Replacements sourced by the PSNI from 2012 onwards included 176 [[OVIK]] PANGOLIN Armoured Public Order Vehicles and 124 Penman Public Order vehicles, both of which are based on the [[Land Rover Defender]] chassis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Freedom of Information Request: PSNI Landrovers |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/02789%20Police%20Service%20of%20Northern%20Ireland%20Landrovers.pdf |publisher=Police Service of Northern Ireland |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=OVIK wins new £4.5m PSNI contract |url=http://oviks.com/news4.php |publisher=OVIK Special Vehicles |access-date=28 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527224009/http://oviks.com/news4.php#mid |archive-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>

The PSNI today uses mostly conventional vehicles as part of its fleet of up to 2,690 vehicles for regular patrols across Northern Ireland, most of which consist of marked and unmarked [[estate car]]s and [[SUV]]s. These can be categorised as either armoured or "soft skin" unarmoured vehicles, with the former receiving armoured panels and bulletproof windows.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fleet strategy 2021 and beyond |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/fleet-strategy-spreads.pdf |publisher=Police Service of Northern Ireland |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> In November 2020, 50 [[Škoda Kodiaq]]s and five [[Škoda Superb]]s were supplied to the PSNI as part of a programme to modernise the force's fleet;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Gareth |title=Skoda strikes fleet deal with Police Service of Northern Ireland |url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2020/11/13/skoda-strikes-fleet-deal-with-police-service-of-northern-ireland |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=FleetNews |date=13 November 2020}}</ref> vehicles either currently or previously operated by the PSNI include [[Škoda Octavia]]s,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Connla |title=Keys were lost to whole fleet of police cars |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/07/22/news/keys-lost-to-a-whole-fleet-of-police-cars-199614/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=The Irish News |date=22 July 2015 |location=Dublin}}</ref> [[Vauxhall Vectra]]s, [[Volkswagen Passat]]s, [[Ford Mondeo]]s and [[Audi A6]] and [[Audi A4|A4]]s,<ref>{{cite news |last1=McAleese |first1=Deborah |title=Police car doors 'too small' |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-car-doors-too-small/30430825.html |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=15 July 2014}}</ref> as well as [[BMW R1200RT]] motorcycles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halliday |first1=Gillian |title=End of the road: Scrapping of PSNI motorbikes drives police to distraction |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/end-of-the-road-scrapping-of-psni-motorbikes-drives-police-to-distraction/39661322.html |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=24 October 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

PSNI have a fleet of 242 bicycles which are used for city centres and walkway patrols.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psni.police.uk/use_of_bicycles_by_psni.pdf  |title=Freedom of Information Request: Use of Bicycles by PSNI |publisher=Police Service of Northern Ireland |access-date=1 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403050340/http://www.psni.police.uk/use_of_bicycles_by_psni.pdf |archive-date=3 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Lesley-Anne |title=Shock as PSNI spends £450,000 on new bicycles |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/shock-as-psni-spends-450000-on-new-bicycles/28483434.html |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=16 June 2009}}</ref>

===Air support===
In 2014 the Air Support Unit responded to over 4,000 callouts, including 12 [[Casualty evacuation]]s and over 250 missing people searches.<ref>PSNI (2015). ''April 2015, Keeping People Safe'' PSNI, Belfast.</ref> All aircraft are used for investigations, anti-crime operations, traffic management, search and rescue, public order situations, crime reduction initiatives and tackling terrorism.

====Helicopters====
[[File:G-PSNO Eurocopter EC145 Helicopter Police Service of Northern Ireland (26270548040).jpg|thumb|G-PSNO, one of the two [[Eurocopter EC 145]] helicopters operated by the PSNI]]
In May 2005, the PSNI took delivery of its first helicopter, a [[Eurocopter EC 135]], registration G-PSNI and callsign Police 44. In 2010, the PSNI took delivery of its second aircraft, a [[Eurocopter EC 145]] registration G-PSNO and callsign Police 45 at a cost of £7{{nbsp}}million. In July 2013, a third helicopter entered service, [[Eurocopter EC 145]], registration G-PSNR and callsign Police 46.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/psni-orders-ec145-024 |title=Northern Ireland police service orders EC145 helicopter – CJI Main Site |publisher=Corporatejetinvestor.com |date=14 March 2013 |access-date=1 August 2015 |archive-date=11 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611070544/http://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/psni-orders-ec145-024/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=PSNR|title=Civil Aviation authority : Mark G-PSNR|publisher=Caa.co.uk|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195922/http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=PSNR|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Fixed wing aircraft====
The PSNI operates two fixed wing aircraft for aerial surveillance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeping People Safe in Causeway Coast and Glens District |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/my-area/districts/causeway-coast--glens/documents/Causeway-Coast-and-Glens-RPA-Newsletter.pdf |website=PSNI |access-date=13 March 2020 |date=April 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801154547/https://www.psni.police.uk/globalassets/my-area/districts/causeway-coast--glens/documents/Causeway-Coast-and-Glens-RPA-Newsletter.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 1992, a [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander|Britten-Norman BN-2T Islander]] entered service with registration G-BSWR and callsign Scout 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/ |title=G-INFO G-BSWR |website=Civil Aviation Authority |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421141720/https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2011, the aircraft sustained damage during a crash-landing at [[Belfast International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |title=£200k bill for 12th crash PSNI plane |url=https://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/200k-bill-for-12th-crash-psni-plane-1-3894204 |work=Londonderry Sentinel |date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190244/https://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/200k-bill-for-12th-crash-psni-plane-1-3894204|archive-date=25 October 2018}}</ref> In June 2013, prior to the [[39th G8 summit|G8 summit]], a [[Britten-Norman Defender|Britten-Norman Defender 4000]] entered service with registration G-CGTC and callsign Scout 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/ |title=G-INFO G-CGTC |website=Civil Aviation Authority |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421141720/https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other items===
Other items of equipment include:
* Folding [[Hiatt Speedcuffs]]
* [[Monadnock Lifetime Products|Monadnock]] 26" friction-lock baton with Hindi cap
*  First Aid pouch
* [[Terrestrial Trunked Radio|TETRA radio]] ([[Motorola Solutions|Motorola]] MTP3550)
* Torch with traffic wand
* Limb-restraints, also known as fast-straps
* Body Worn Video (BWV) Camera  ([[Motorola Solutions|Motorola]] VB400)

The PSNI previously issued [[BlackBerry]] devices to officers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psni.police.uk/blackberry_mobile_phones.pdf  |title=Freedom of Information Request : Blackberry Mobile Phones=Psni.police.uk |access-date=1 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402192532/http://www.psni.police.uk/blackberry_mobile_phones.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2014 }}</ref> which have now been replaced by various models of Android smartphones.

As of 2019 the service began replacing the previously issued CS spray with [[PAVA spray]].

==Headquarters==
The service's headquarters are located in [[Knock, Belfast|Knock]], an area in east [[Belfast]], and since the 1980s has included the Service's Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-history/police-museum|title=Police Museum|website=PSNI}}</ref>

== 2023 data breach and ICO fine ==

On 8 August 2023, the PSNI suffered a major data breach when personal information of approximately 9,500 police officers and staff was accidentally published online in response to a freedom of information request. The disclosed data included surnames, initials, ranks, work locations and departments for all PSNI employees.<ref name="ICOPenalty">{{cite web|url=https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/mpns/4031177/psni-penalty-notice.pdf|title=PENALTY NOTICE POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND|publisher=Information Commissioner's Office|date=26 September 2024|access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref>

On 26 September 2024, the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued a monetary penalty notice fining the PSNI £750,000 for infringements of data protection law related to the breach.<ref name="ICOPenalty" /> The ICO found that the PSNI had failed to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from 25 May 2018 to 14 June 2024, in violation of the UK General Data Protection Regulation.<ref name="ICOPenalty" />

The ICO noted the sensitive nature of the data given the security situation in Northern Ireland, stating the breach "could lead to the most severe consequences imaginable for officers, staff and their families."<ref name="ICOPenalty" /> While the ICO initially calculated a £5.6 million fine based on the seriousness of the infringements, this was reduced to £750,000 in line with the ICO's revised approach to public sector enforcement.<ref name="ICOPenalty" />

==Chief constables==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
|-
!No.!!Name
!From!!To
!Notes
|-
|1
|[[Ronnie Flanagan|Sir Ronnie Flanagan]]
|November 2001
|March 2002
|Incumbent Chief constable (since 1996) of the service during its change from the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] to the PSNI in November 2001.
|-
|–
|Colin Cramphorn
|March 2002
|September 2002
|Acting Chief constable
|-
|2
|[[Hugh Orde|Sir Hugh Orde]]
|September 2002
|August 2009
|
|-
|–
|[[Judith Gillespie]]
|August 2009
|August 2009
|Acting Chief constable
|-
|3
|[[Matthew D. Baggott|Sir Matt Baggott]]
|August 2009
|June 2014
|
|-
|4
|[[George Hamilton (Northern Ireland police officer)|Sir George Hamilton]]
|June 2014
|June 2019
|
|-
|5
|[[Simon Byrne (police officer)|Simon Byrne]]
|June 2019
|September 2023
|Resigned following a number of controversies.
|-
|–
|Mark Hamilton
|September 2023
|October 2023
|Acting Chief constable
|-
|–
|[[Jon Boutcher]]
|October 2023
|November 2023
|Interim Chief constable
|-
|6
|[[Jon Boutcher]]
|November 2023
|Incumbent
|
|}

==Ranks==
{{See also|Police ranks of the United Kingdom}}
{{PSNI Rank Insignia}}
In the PSNI there are also part-time Special constables known as a [[Special constable#Northern Ireland|Reserve Constable]]. In contrast to most Special constables elsewhere in the UK, this is a paid position.

The ranks and their insignia correspond to those of other UK police services, with a few modifications: Sergeants' chevrons are worn point-up as is done in the United States, rather than point-down as is done in other police and military services of the United Kingdom. The six-pointed star & saltire device from the PSNI badge is used in place of the [[St Edward's Crown|Crown]] in the insignia of superintendents, chief superintendents and the chief constable.

The rank insignia of the chief constable, unlike those in other parts of the UK, are similar to those of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Commissioner of the City of London Police.

==Controversy==
===Officer misconduct===
In 2021 the BBC reported on news of 39 internal investigations into sexual misconduct or domestic abuse by PSNI officers over the past five years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2021 |title=PSNI: Almost 40 officers investigated over sex complaints |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-58799870 |access-date=4 February 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In January 2023 9 PSNI officers were fired in for sexual misconduct or domestic abuse.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 January 2023 |title=Nine PSNI officers sacked over sexual or domestic abuse |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-64326647 |access-date=4 February 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2023 the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service ([[Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland|PPSNI]]) charged two PSNI officers for taking pictures of dead bodies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donaghy |first=Gerard |title=PSNI officers to be prosecuted for sharing images from scenes of sudden deaths |url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/psni-officers-to-be-prosecuted-for-sharing-images-from-scenes-of-sudden-deaths-252110 |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=The Irish Post}}</ref> This was first reported on in 2022 by the BBC news program Spotlight, after they spoke with family members of a man who committed suicide in 2017. The family of the man was concerned about the behaviour of officers on the scene.<ref name="Carroll">{{Cite news |last1=Carroll |first1=Rory |last2=correspondent |first2=Rory Carroll Ireland |date=18 April 2023 |title=NI police officers to be prosecuted for allegedly sharing images of dead bodies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/18/northern-ireland-police-officers-prosecuted-allegedly-sharing-images-dead-bodies |access-date=4 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

This 2023 disciplinary decision came about as a result of an internal investigation titled "Operation Warwick", by the [[Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland]]. For these charges, one officer was dismissed, and one was suspended.<ref name="Carroll"/>

===2023 data breaches===
{{Main|PSNI data breaches}}

The PSNI suffered two [[PSNI data breaches|data breaches]] in 2023, in which personal details of thousands of PSNI officers and staff was inadvertedly published on a public website.<ref name=tj-psni-confirms-major-data-breach>{{Cite news |title=PSNI confirms major data breach as Assistant Chief Constable apologises |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/psni-staff-impacted-by-major-data-breach-6139039-Aug2023/ |date=8 August 2023 |access-date=11 August 2023 |work=[[TheJournal.ie]] |agency=[[Press Association]]}}</ref><ref name=cnn-psni-data-breach>{{Cite news |title='Monumental' data breach exposes names of entire Northern Ireland police force |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/09/uk/psni-data-breach-gbr-intl/index.html |last1=Edwards |first1=Christian |date=9 August 2023 |access-date=11 August 2023 |publisher=[[CNN]] |last2=Hauser |first2=Jennifer}}</ref>

Following the 2023 data breaches, a LucidTalk opinion poll revealed that 38% of people in Northern Ireland had "no" or "mostly no" confidence in the PSNI. The poll also found that [[Unionism in Northern Ireland|unionist]] voters were more likely to have confidence in the police service than [[Irish nationalism|nationalists]], though support for the PSNI was highest amongst "other" voters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Do you have confidence in (a) the PSNI?, and (b) the Chief Constable: Simon Byrne? |url=https://twitter.com/LucidTalk/status/1693604309462643040/photo/3 |access-date=22 August 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

==Police Fund==
The fund was set up in 2002 to provide care and financial assistance to police officers and ex-officers who have been injured or disabled from being the direct target of a terrorist attack and to the widows, widowers and families of police officers killed or injured through terrorism.<ref name=police-fund-about-us>{{Cite news |title=About NIPF |url=https://www.nipolicefund.gov.uk/about-nipf/ |author1=Northern Ireland Police Fund |access-date=10 July 2024 |publisher=Northern Ireland Police Fund}}</ref><ref name=police-fund-home>{{Cite news |title=Northern Ireland Police Fund  |url=https://www.nipolicefund.gov.uk/ |author1=Northern Ireland Police Fund |access-date=10 July 2024 |publisher=Northern Ireland Police Fund}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of law enforcement agencies in Northern Ireland]]
* [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom]]
* [[List of Government departments and agencies in Northern Ireland]]
* [[Northern Ireland Security Guard Service]]
* [[PSNI F.C.]]
* [[PSNI GAA]]

==References==
* [[Ronald Weitzer|Weitzer, Ronald]]. 1995. ''Policing Under Fire: Ethnic Conflict and Police-Community Relations in Northern Ireland'' (Albany, New York: State University of New York Press).
* Weitzer, Ronald. 1996. "Police Reform in Northern Ireland", Police Studies, v.19, no.2. pages:27–43.
* Weitzer, Ronald. 1992. "Northern Ireland's Police Liaison Committees", Policing and Society, vol.2, no.3, pages 233–243.

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/police-forces/forces-organisations/police-service-northern-ireland/ ''Police Service of Northern Ireland'']. [[His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040222214421/http://atlasgeo.span.ch/fotw/flags/gb-ni-ps.html The badge and flag of the PSNI]
* [http://www.policeombudsman.org/ Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland website]

{{Police forces of the United Kingdom}}
{{Police forces in Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Police Service of Northern Ireland| ]]
[[Category:Government of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Society of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Police forces of Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 2001]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland peace process]]