16 October 2026

SDLP Policing Board Member Colin McGrath MLA has welcomed the launch of a new PSNI recruitment campaign and encouraged people from all backgrounds to consider applying.

The South Down MLA said the campaign was an important opportunity to attract people who may not have previously considered a career in policing, particularly from groups currently under-represented in the service.

Colin McGrath MLA said:

"Joining the police is a big decision and I would never underestimate the challenges that come with it. Officers deal with some of the most difficult situations imaginable, often under enormous pressure. It is also an exceptionally rewarding career, with the chance to make a real difference in your community and help people when they need it most.

"I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about joining the police to seriously consider applying. I am particularly keen to see more people coming forward from communities that have traditionally been under-represented in the PSNI. There are people out there who would make excellent police officers but may never have seen it as a career for them.

"We have spent the last 25 years working to build a police service that commands the confidence of the whole community. That work is far from finished. Who wears the uniform matters, and we need to keep making progress on ensuring the PSNI is representative of the society it serves.

"The pressures on policing are well documented, and rebuilding officer numbers is urgently required. We need new recruits coming into the service, bringing their own experiences and understanding of the communities they will be working in. I hope this campaign encourages people who might previously have ruled out a career in policing to think again."