36 new officers prepare for policing roles across Northern Ireland after 22 weeks of training
Saturday 07 November 2026
Thirty-six new PSNI officers are preparing to serve in districts across Northern Ireland after completing their initial training during the police service’s 25th anniversary week.
The officers took their oath at an attestation ceremony at the Police College in Garnerville, east Belfast, on Friday 6 November, watched by their families.
Having entered the college in June and completed a 22-week course, they will now begin two years of probation, with mentoring as they develop their policing skills.
From training to serving communities
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher attended the ceremony alongside Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Mr Boutcher said:
“This week the Police Service of Northern Ireland turned 25 and today’s attestation of 36 student officers is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of each of them. The officers attested in front of their extremely proud families, they will go out and police the streets of Northern Ireland with a determination to keep everyone safe.”
According to the Chief Constable, more than 6,000 officers have taken the same oath since the PSNI was established. Its first recruits entered Garnerville in November 2001, with the first squad attesting on 5 April 2002.
A milestone for policing
Sir Chris congratulated the new officers and their families, describing the personal commitment involved in joining the service.
He said:
“Stepping forward into public service requires immense courage, integrity, and dedication to the community.”
Mr Martin linked the anniversary to the wider significance of policing reform and the peace process.
He said:
“The creation of the PSNI was a key part of delivering the Good Friday Agreement and the peace that it made possible. The Government of Ireland is committed to building on the achievements of that peace, deepening the cooperation across our jurisdictions, and harnessing the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Recruitment and the next stage of training
Mr Boutcher also highlighted a recently launched student officer recruitment campaign, encouraging people from different backgrounds to consider joining.
“Policing is more than a job – it is a vocation. I hope people in our diverse communities will be inspired by these officers today, and make their own application to join our Service.”
For the 36 newly attested officers, Friday’s ceremony marks the start of a further period of supported learning. During their two-year probation, they will be mentored and work towards a BSc (Hons) Degree or Graduate Certificate in Policing and Criminology (Applied Practice).
