A new independent inspection has rated the Police Service of Northern Ireland as adequate in two critical areas, while shining a light on the toll that years of budget reductions have taken on the force.

The HMICFRS PEEL report, commissioned by Justice Minister Naomi Long in September 2025, assessed how the PSNI attracts, develops and retains its workforce and creates an inclusive workplace, as well as how it uses its powers fairly and with justification. Both areas received the same adequate grading.

Inspectors found that long-term funding uncertainty, recruitment freezes and high sickness absence have slashed officer and staff numbers to record lows. The PSNI’s deployable strength is now below 5,000 when health-related absences are factored in. To fill gaps, the force relies heavily on overtime and cancelling rest days, practices that contribute to what the report describes as high levels of fatigue and burnout.

Mental health pressures are evident: the watchdog flagged high rates of mental health-related absence and a significant proportion of officers applying for ill-health retirement. The shortage of detectives, particularly in Public Protection, was singled out as a critical capacity gap that will take years to close, despite investment in a new police college.

On the use of powers, the inspection found that stop and search and use of force are applied reasonably and proportionately, and that officers were professional and courteous. Oversight of these powers was robust. However, record-keeping and supervision need improvement; not every instance of force was accompanied by the required form, inspectors noted after reviewing body-worn video. The stop and search rate is now at its lowest in 20 years.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton welcomed the findings, saying that even an adequate grade is remarkable given the chronic underfunding. He pointed to the inspectorate’s recognition of the professionalism and dedication of officers and staff. Justice Minister Long said the report must be carefully considered and repeated her long-standing warning that the funding deficit makes it impossible to address identified shortcomings.

Police Federation chair Liam Kelly called the situation an indictment of government failure, warning the service is close to a tipping point. Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows, a former senior PSNI officer, described the understaffing as deeply concerning and urged a sustainable, multi-year funding settlement to protect the public and support officer welfare.