Lowest percentage of Catholics apply to join PSNI in over a decade

The latest Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer recruitment campaign has attracted the lowest percentage of Catholic applicants for more than a decade.

New figures released by the organisation show more than 4,100 people applied to join.

However, just over a quarter (27%) are from a Catholic background.

The PSNI already has an under-representation of Catholics in its ranks and it is concerned the situation will worsen.

The figure of 27% is two percentage points down on the 2025 recruitment drive and the lowest since at least 2013, according to official police data.

The latest campaign ran for three weeks and closed earlier this month.

Overall, 700 fewer people applied to join than last year.

Chief constable Jon Boutcher, commenting on the figures, said in a statement: "Policing is a unique career, it's not simply a job, it's a vocation.

"It's a role that people can be quick to criticise, yet those very critics will always call us when they need help, and we will always be there for them whatever their background, culture or religion.

"We are a police service for everyone."

The PSNI currently has around 6,300 officers - 67% of whom as "perceived Protestant" and 32% of whom are "perceived Catholic".

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.

Unionist politicians oppose its return.

The 50/50 process was introduced as part of the Patten policing reforms and was aimed at increasing the number of Catholic officers.

When it was first introduced, Catholics made up about 8% of the police.