Martin says Sinn Féin and others could do more to support Catholic PSNI recruitment

Politics · First reported 6 Nov, 17:24 · Updated 18:16

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland. · Public domain

At a PSNI recruit ceremony in Belfast, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said political parties and community groups should more visibly encourage Catholics to consider policing. Catholic representation in the force is close to 31%, and Martin said recruitment momentum had stalled.

Martin became the first taoiseach to attend a PSNI passing-out ceremony, where 36 recruits took part on Friday.
He said Sinn Féin could do more to encourage Catholics to join the PSNI and urged political parties, community groups and churches to offer public support.
Catholics make up close to 31% of the PSNI workforce, compared with about 46% of Northern Ireland’s population; the article says representation has plateaued after rising under an initial 50:50 recruitment policy.
Martin said concerns about support for Catholic officers had been raised with him by members of the PSNI Catholic Guild. The article also identifies threats from dissident republicans as one factor cited in discouraging Catholic applicants.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher called for clear support for policing as a career, while Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant urged people across communities to consider it.

Summary written by Lux AI from 3 articles

Key facts

Catholic share of PSNI: Close to 31%.
Catholic share of Northern Ireland population: Around 46%.
New recruits at ceremony: 36.
Recruitment policy described: 50:50 recruitment during the PSNI’s first 10 years.