Selecting recruits based on faith rather than competence sends the wrong message about the PSNI’s priorities. It risks lowering standards and discouraging talented individuals from even considering the job.
No one should be denied an opportunity to be a police officer simply because of their religion, or lack thereof.
Rather than imposing artificial quotas, efforts should focus on addressing any remaining barriers to Catholic recruitment through leadership within nationalism, not discrimination against others. Let’s remember it took Sinn Fein twenty years to even attend a PSNI recruitment launch.
This week one parent rang our office to voice her concern that because her son, though very well qualified, is male, white, heterosexual and a Protestant, he could be disadvantaged in securing one of the 500 training places.
I understand that mother’s concern. I trust that will not be the case in this process. It would be outrageous to be recruiting officers based on any metric other than their ability to do the job.
The real challenge for the PSNI is not religious balance but recruitment and retention overall.
Officers are leaving due to rising violence and job pressures. Addressing these core issues, rather than asking applicants’ religion, sexuality or gender should be the focus.
Fair, open recruitment based on skill and commitment is the best way to build a trusted, effective police force.
The people I meet have moved beyond the craze of woke quotas and the PSNI must do the same.
