More than 4,000 people have applied to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
According to police data, more than 65% who applied to the student officer campaign are Protestant, 26% are Catholic and 7.7% are undetermined.
Some 63% of applicants are male, 36% female, and 7% are from the LGBT community, and 4.2% are from ethnic minorities.
The percentages largely compare with the recruitment campaign in 2025, although there was a slight drop in the percentage of Catholic applicants (28.8% in 2025).
We have received over 4,000 applications to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 18, 2026
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According to the 2021 census, 45.7% of the Northern Ireland population are Catholic.
The recruitment process closed last Wednesday with a total of 4,104 applications received.
It comes as PSNI officer numbers dropped to 6,190 last summer, well below the target of 7,500 set in the Patten Report in 1999.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he is encouraged by the numbers applying, and he appealed to those from all backgrounds to consider a career in policing.
“Policing is a unique career, it’s not simply a job, it’s a vocation,” he said.
“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.
“I am very encouraged to see a vast number of people who have shown an interest in applying for a career in policing from across all sections of the community.
“It is the profession that all other public services turn to at a time of crisis, and the rewards of a career in policing are immeasurable.”
He added: “I wish all of the applicants the very best as they will now commence a rigorous multi-stage process.
“This will ensure that the very best candidates are offered a place on our intensive 22-week training programme at the Police College, Garnerville.
“Here student officers will develop practical and operational skills alongside our expert trainers, to ensure they are mentally and physically equipped to perform the important role of a police officer.
“I appeal to people from all backgrounds to consider policing as a career. If you become a police officer you will make a positive difference to so many people’s lives.”
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