£35k starting salary and chance to earn a degree as PSNI opens new recruitment campaign
Chief Constable launches the PSNI’s latest Student Officer Recruitment Campaign
Monday 12 October 2026
A starting salary of £35,000 and the opportunity to earn a university degree while working are among the incentives being offered as the Police Service of Northern Ireland launches a new recruitment campaign for student officers.
The recruitment drive opened today, Monday 12 October, as the PSNI marks its 25th anniversary, with applications also being welcomed from experienced officers serving in other police services.
Further opportunities for call handlers and administrative support officers will open in the coming weeks, offering several routes into a career with the PSNI.
Salary, training and university qualification
Successful student officer recruits will receive comprehensive training and ongoing professional development, alongside a starting salary of £35,000.
They will also have the opportunity to work towards a degree in criminology and policing from Ulster University, allowing them to gain a qualification while earning a salary.
The PSNI says it wants applications from people of all backgrounds and communities as it seeks to build a workforce that better reflects the population it serves.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said:
“I want the Police Service of Northern Ireland to be representative of the community we serve and to be seen as an employer of choice.
“Policing is more than a job, it is a chance to work along with all communities throughout Northern Ireland and make a meaningful difference every single day.
“This is not merely a job, it’s vocational, being a police officer is the finest public service a person can do.”
Experienced officers invited to transfer
Alongside the student officer recruitment campaign, the PSNI has reopened its Transferee Scheme, allowing serving officers from other police services to apply to join the organisation.
Mr Boutcher specifically appealed to officers who had joined forces elsewhere during periods when PSNI recruitment was suspended.
He said:
“Many people applied to become police officers elsewhere because we had stopped recruitment, to those officers in other police services, I say it is time to come home.”
The Chief Constable said the service was seeking people with integrity, compassion and a willingness to learn, regardless of their background.
More recruitment opportunities opening soon
The campaign also includes upcoming opportunities for people interested in civilian roles supporting frontline policing.
The confirmed recruitment opening dates are:
• Monday 12 October 2026 – Student officer recruitment and the Transferee Scheme open.
• Monday 19 October 2026 – Applications open for Call Handler positions.
• Monday 9 November 2026 – Applications open for Administrative Support Officer positions.
Administrative Support Officers provide essential services supporting operational policing across a range of locations throughout Northern Ireland.
The PSNI will also undertake outreach and engagement activities over the coming weeks to encourage applications from different communities.
A seven-week advertising campaign will run across broadcast and print media, alongside social and digital platforms.
Recruitment linked to police workforce recovery
The recruitment drive comes as the Department of Justice and PSNI work to address police staffing levels through a workforce recovery plan.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said ensuring adequate police numbers remained one of her key priorities.
She said:
“Each and every day, PSNI officers make a positive difference to the lives of people across Northern Ireland; whether it be working with the community to build trust and confidence in policing and keeping people safe, preventing and investigating crime, responding to emergencies or providing reassurance and advice to victims of crime.”
Ms Long added:
“The Department of Justice has worked closely with the PSNI to develop a workforce recovery plan, so I welcome the launch of this recruitment campaign and urge anyone who is considering a career in policing to apply.”
Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan also backed the campaign, highlighting the importance of attracting recruits who reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland's communities.
He said:
“The Policing Board encourages and supports people from all walks of life and backgrounds to apply as we know how important it is for policing to be fully reflective and representative of the diversity of the community it serves.”
How to find out more and apply
Anyone considering becoming a PSNI student officer can find information about the recruitment process, the role and the stages involved at:
The website also includes testimonials from serving officers describing their experiences and careers in policing.
With student officer applications now open and further staff recruitment scheduled for October and November, prospective applicants have several opportunities to explore a policing career. The campaign's longer-term significance will depend on how successfully it attracts new recruits and supports the PSNI's efforts to rebuild its workforce.
