Police Service of Northern Ireland facts for kids

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is the main police force that helps keep people safe and prevents crime in Northern Ireland. Its full official name is the Police Service of Northern Ireland (incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary).

The PSNI was created in 2001. It took over from the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) after a special report called the Patten Report suggested changes. The PSNI is one of the largest police services in the United Kingdom based on the number of officers. It also covers a very large area.

Quick facts for kids Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Service Emblem
Abbreviation	PSNI
Motto	Keeping People Safe
Agency overview
Formed	4 November 2001; 23 years ago (2001-11-04)
Preceding agency	Royal Ulster Constabulary
Annual budget	£836.7M (FY 2014/15)
Legal personality	Police service
Jurisdictional structure
National agency	Northern Ireland
Operations jurisdiction	Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland area
Size	14,130 km2 (5,460 sq mi)
Population	1,903,175
Governing body	Northern Ireland Executive
Constituting instrument	Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000
General nature	Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Belfast
Police officers	6422
Police staffs	2,297
Agency executives	Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, Deputy Chief Constable Pamela McCreedy, Chief Operating Officer
Departments	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
Regions	8 (11 District)
Facilities
Stations	32
Watercrafts	Yes
Aircraft	3 helicopters 1 fixed-wing
Dogs	28

How the PSNI Started

The creation of the PSNI was part of the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement. This important agreement helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. It said that a new police service should be formed.

A group called the Patten Commission was set up to suggest how this new police service should work. Based on their ideas, the RUC was replaced by the PSNI on 4 November 2001. The new police service's full legal name is the Police Service of Northern Ireland (incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary). For everyday use, it's simply called the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

In the past, most police officers in Northern Ireland were from a Protestant background. The PSNI has worked to have more officers from all backgrounds, including Catholic. This is done through special policies to encourage more people to join.

Initially, a political party called Sinn Féin did not fully support the PSNI. But in 2007, they announced their full support. Now, all major political parties in Northern Ireland support the PSNI.

How the PSNI is Organised

The person in charge of the PSNI is called the chief constable. The Northern Ireland Policing Board chooses the chief constable. This choice also needs to be approved by the Minister of Justice for Northern Ireland. The current chief constable is Jon Boutcher. He started in this role in November 2023.

Northern Ireland is divided into eight police districts. Each district is led by a senior officer called a chief superintendent. These districts are then split into smaller areas, and those areas are divided into even smaller sectors.

Besides the PSNI, there are other police groups that look after specific transport places in Northern Ireland. These include the Belfast Harbour Police and the Belfast International Airport Constabulary.

Where the PSNI Operates

PSNI officers have full police powers across all of Northern Ireland and in the nearby waters of the United Kingdom. They have more limited powers in other parts of the UK, like England, Wales, and Scotland. This is unless there's a special agreement for help between police forces.

Police staff members are not officers, but they help the PSNI in many ways. They work in offices, support operations, and sometimes work alongside police officers.

Working with Police in Ireland

The Patten Report suggested that the PSNI and the Garda Síochána (the police force in the Republic of Ireland) should work together. This led to an agreement in 2002 that allows officers to be exchanged between the two police services.

There are different ways officers can be exchanged:

• Personnel exchanges: Officers of all ranks can spend up to a year with the other force. They don't have policing powers during this time.
• Secondments: Officers from sergeant to chief superintendent can work with the other force for up to three years and have policing powers.
• Permanent transfers: Officers above the rank of inspector can permanently move to the other police service.

Who Checks the PSNI

The Northern Ireland Policing Board oversees the PSNI. They make sure the police force is doing its job well.

If someone has a complaint about the PSNI, they can contact the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. This office investigates any claims of bad behaviour by police officers. The current Police Ombudsman is Michael Maguire.

The PSNI also has its own team, called the Professional Standards Department. They look into less serious issues of misconduct by officers. More serious problems are handled by a "misconduct panel." This panel can decide on punishments, like dismissal or fines.

Becoming a PSNI Officer

Saintfield police station

Moira police station

When the PSNI first started, there was a rule to recruit an equal number of trainee officers from Catholic and non-Catholic backgrounds. This was to make sure the police force represented everyone in Northern Ireland. Before this, most officers in the RUC were Protestant.

By 2011, about 29.7% of PSNI officers were from a Catholic background. This "50:50" rule for officers ended in April 2011.

The PSNI is still working to encourage more people from all backgrounds to join. They are trying to address fears that some people might have about joining the service.

PSNI Policies

In 2006, it was confirmed that the PSNI had a policy about using young people as informants. This means children could, in special cases, give information to the police, even about their own family (but not their parents). This policy had strict rules to protect the child's safety and welfare. For example, a parent or another suitable adult had to be present during meetings.

PSNI Structure

As of April 2023, the PSNI has different departments that handle various tasks. These include departments for crime, human resources, media, and support services.

Specialist Units

The PSNI has special teams for different situations.

Headquarters Mobile Support Unit (HMSU)

The HMSU is the PSNI's tactical unit. Its officers are highly trained in firearms, unarmed combat, and other special skills. They go through a long training program that lasts 26 weeks.

Tactical Support Group (TSG)

TSG officers help local police teams with many tasks. Their main jobs include:

• Dealing with large crowds.
• Helping with counter-terrorism efforts.
• Reducing crime.
• Responding to crime scenes.
• Conducting surveillance.

TSG officers also have special skills like:

• Searching for hidden items.
• Finding ways to enter buildings safely.
• Patrolling to prevent crime and terrorism.
• Responding to incidents on water.
• Giving advanced medical help.
• Escorting important people or items.
• Dealing with dangerous chemicals or materials.
• Protecting VIPs.
• Patrolling roads.
• Helping other UK police forces when needed.

Uniform

Male and female PSNI officers on a pier in Bangor, County Down

The PSNI uniform is a colour called bottle green. The RUC used a darker green, which was sometimes mistaken for black. The current shade of green was chosen to make the uniform look less like a military uniform.

In 2022, the PSNI introduced a new uniform for officers working on the front lines. This new uniform includes a green t-shirt made of wicking material, which is more comfortable. It has the PSNI crest and the word "Police" on it. Officers still wear traditional peaked caps or kepi-style hats. Tactical units wear baseball-style caps.

Badge and Flag

The PSNI badge has the St. Patrick's saltire (a cross like an X). It also has six symbols that represent different traditions and shared values: The Scales of Justice show fairness and equality. A crown is a traditional symbol of royalty. The harp is a traditional Irish symbol. A torch means new ideas and a fresh start. An olive branch is a symbol of peace. A shamrock is a traditional Irish symbol, used by Saint Patrick to explain the Christian Trinity.

The PSNI flag is the PSNI badge placed in the middle of a dark green background. Only this flag is allowed to be flown on PSNI buildings, vehicles, aircraft, or boats.

Equipment

Body Armour

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

PSNI officers in riot gear armed with a Heckler & Koch grenade launcher for baton rounds during a riot in Belfast, 2011

PSNI officers wear special vests called body armour. These vests are designed to protect them from bullets and knives. Since 2007, officers in Belfast and Derry City have been required to wear bulletproof vests because of safety threats.

In 2019, the PSNI started using a new, lighter, and more comfortable body armour system.

Firearms

Unlike most police forces in the UK and Ireland, all PSNI officers carry firearms when they are on duty. They are also allowed to carry firearms when they are not on duty. This is because of the higher threat from armed groups in Northern Ireland.

The standard firearm for PSNI officers is the Glock 17 pistol. This pistol is carried by every officer on patrol. For longer-range situations, officers use the Heckler & Koch G36K carbine. Special riot guns are also available for crowd control.

Officers often carry long firearms in areas where there is a higher threat, such as in Derry, Belfast, and near border areas.

Vehicles

The Mk3.5 Škoda Octavia Estate constitutes a sizeable percentage of the service's liveried fleet. It is currently being replaced by newer models.

A PANGOLIN armoured Land Rover in Belfast.

One of the most well-known PSNI vehicles is the Land Rover Tangi. These armoured vehicles were used a lot during the time of conflict known as the Troubles.

Many of the older Tangis have been replaced by newer armoured vehicles called PANGOLINs. The PSNI also uses other cars, vans, and motorcycles. They even have a fleet of bicycles for patrolling city centres and walkways.

Air Support

The PSNI has an Air Support Unit that uses aircraft to help with police work. In 2014, this unit responded to over 4,000 calls. They helped with investigations, anti-crime operations, traffic management, search and rescue, and tackling terrorism.

Helicopters

G-PSNO, one of the two Eurocopter EC 145 helicopters operated by the PSNI

The PSNI started using helicopters in 2005. They now have three helicopters: two Eurocopter EC 145s and one Eurocopter EC 135.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

The PSNI also uses two fixed-wing aircraft for looking at things from above. These planes help with aerial surveillance. One is a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, and the other is a Britten-Norman Defender 4000. For many years, the PSNI was the only police force in the UK to use fixed-wing aircraft.

Other Equipment

PSNI officers also carry other important equipment, including:

• Folding handcuffs.
• A baton (a police stick).
• A first aid pouch.
• A radio for communication.
• A torch with a traffic wand.
• Limb-restraints (for safely controlling people).

Officers used to have BlackBerry devices, but now they use Android smartphones. The PSNI has also started using a new type of pepper spray called PAVA spray.

Headquarters

The main office for the PSNI is located in an area called Knock in east Belfast.

Chief Constables of the PSNI

Ranks

Police Service of Northern Ireland ranks
Rank	Chief constable	Deputy chief constable	Assistant chief constable	Chief superintendent	Superintendent	Chief inspector	Inspector	Sergeant	Constable
Epaulette insignia

The PSNI has different ranks, similar to other police forces in the UK. These ranks show an officer's position and responsibility.

One special rank in the PSNI is the Reserve Constable. Unlike most special constables in other parts of the UK, these are paid positions.

The rank badges are similar to other UK police services, but with a few differences. For example, sergeants wear their chevron stripes pointing up. Also, the PSNI badge's six-pointed star and cross are used in the insignia for superintendents and the chief constable, instead of a crown.

|