PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher told the Northern Ireland Policing Board that improving representation in the police requires a collective responsibility from all sectors of society. He stated the force needs to take more action to increase Catholic applicants, who made up 26.7% of the latest student officer recruitment drive.

More than 4,000 people applied in the campaign, with 65.6% from a Protestant background and 7.7% undetermined. Boutcher noted this marked the lowest percentage of Catholic applicants in over a decade.

Boutcher expressed determination to debate societal support for policing in the 25th anniversary year of the Patten Report. That 1999 review led to the PSNI and a 50:50 recruitment policy from 2001 to 2011, which balanced Catholic and Protestant hires.

He quoted the Patten Report as calling on community leaders, political figures, councillors, clergy, teachers, and sports officials to encourage police recruitment and counter discouragement. Boutcher said society has not met this expectation over the past 25 years, with Catholic applicants consistently around 30%.

Boutcher indicated the PSNI could raise Catholic numbers without reviving 50:50 if all parties apply themselves, though he kept the option open. He welcomed the strong response to the recent campaign and larger intake.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath urged not dismissing 50:50 hastily. DUP MLA Trevor Clarke called the drive one of the PSNI's strongest and stressed political endorsement for policing careers.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey pointed to barriers for nationalists, including cultural gaps in the force and Troubles legacy issues. Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said practical actions by people, not political statements, would shift demographics.