The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched a recruitment campaign for student officers, coinciding with the service's 25th anniversary.

The campaign, announced on Monday 12 October 2026, will run for seven weeks across broadcast, print, social media and digital platforms. It aims to attract applicants from all communities to help build what Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described as a safer, more connected Northern Ireland.

Boutcher said the campaign is about making the PSNI representative of the community it serves and an employer of choice. He described policing as vocational and said new recruits would receive comprehensive training and professional development with a starting salary of £35,000. Recruits will also have the chance to earn a degree in criminology and policing from Ulster University while they work.

The chief constable said the Transferee Scheme is also open, allowing serving officers elsewhere to apply to transfer to the PSNI. He acknowledged that many people had joined other police services because PSNI recruitment had been paused and encouraged them to return.

Boutcher also announced that applications for Call Handlers will open on Monday 19 October, and Administrative Support Officer recruitment will open on Monday 9 November. He said the PSNI will undertake outreach and engagement activities in the coming weeks to encourage applications from all communities.

Justice Minister Naomi Long welcomed the campaign, saying adequate police numbers are one of her key priorities. She said the Department of Justice has worked closely with the PSNI to develop a workforce recovery plan and urged anyone considering a career in policing to apply.

Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan also voiced support, saying the board encourages people from all backgrounds to apply to ensure policing reflects the diversity of the community.

Further details on the application process are available at joinpsni.co.uk/police-officer.