Why was there a 50:50 recruitment policy?
The 50:50 policy was recommended by the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland (Patten) as a means of making the police service representative of the community. In September 2001 the composition of PSNI was 8.2% Catholic and 91.8% Non-Catholic.
The legislation dictated that 50:50 will apply at Constable level.
The purpose of 50:50 was to effect compositional change in terms of religion and this is best done at the level where recruitment takes place in large numbers i.e. at Constable level.
The Government announced that the temporary 50:50 recruitment positions would lapse on 28 March 2011. As of 31 March 2011 Catholic representation of PSNI officers stood at 30.3%.
Future police officer recruitment plans are currently under consideration so that the necessary practical arrangements can be put in place for the next 5 - 10 years.
