Question
Whistleblowing – Can the Chief Constable confirm what changes
if any have been made during the past few years to ensure that there is a
robust culture of promoting whistleblowing within PSNI and that whistle
blowers receive the necessary support for doing so and that there are
procedures and policies in place to promote whistleblowing and state how
many cases of whistleblowing there been in PSNI in the last 5 years?
Answer
In recent years, PSNI has strengthened and refreshed its whistleblowing framework to support a robust culture of reporting wrongdoing and to ensure appropriate safeguards for those who speak up.
A key development has been the introduction and subsequent refresh of Service Instruction (SI) 3117 – Whistleblowing. The policy was reviewed on 3 August 2023 and, following consideration by the PSNI Strategic Management Board, it was republished with minor amendments on 16 April 2024. SI3117 sets out the procedure for making public interest disclosures within PSNI, explains clearly the pathways available for officers, staff and contractors to raise concerns, and outlines the legal protections that apply. It emphasises that PSNI is committed to ensuring employees have safe methods to report suspected illegal or unethical conduct without suffering any detrimental impact, and that those raising concerns will be listened to and treated with respect. The policy also makes clear that PSNI will not tolerate harassment of anyone raising a disclosure, and it provides for governance and oversight, including formal reporting through established governance arrangements (including reporting to ARAC) and an annual update to the Chief Constable.
Operationally, the approach is designed to encourage early reporting and ensure concerns are handled in the most appropriate way. SI3117 recognises that not all matters presented as “whistleblowing” meet the legal/public interest disclosure threshold, and it provides for those matters to be redirected into other suitable mechanisms (for example, grievance or other resolution processes), while still ensuring the issue is addressed.
In terms of recent usage, during the 5 years, there have 2 reports considered as protected disclosure and progressed in line with the Whistleblowing Service Instruction. It is important to note that there are many other ways of reporting information in relation to alleged wrongdoing, there are readily available anonymous mechanisms such as Integrity Matters and Crime Stoppers.
Assurance around the robustness of the arrangements has also recently been provided through independent scrutiny. In January 2026, NICS Internal Audit Services conducted a review of PSD governance and processes, including whistleblowing arrangements. The draft report received on 13 April 2026 provided an overall opinion of “Satisfactory”, noting that key controls are operating effectively overall, with one residual improvement identified. Specifically on whistleblowing, Internal Audit found that SI3117 is in place and accessible; roles and responsibilities are set out; and whistleblowing reporting/oversight is supported through established governance reporting (including reporting to ARAC). The review also noted that use of the policy is low, with many reports managed through other categories.
Performance Committee