As the Police Service of Northern Ireland marks its 25th anniversary, a debate has emerged over how to increase Catholic recruitment, with former Policing Board vice chair Denis Bradley suggesting a deal may be needed with dissident republicans, while DUP Policing Board lead Trevor Clarke rejected the idea.

Bradley, speaking ahead of a two-day conference in Belfast, said that dissident activity still frightens young Catholics away from joining the PSNI. He argued that the issue can only be resolved by the two governments making a deal with dissidents, eliminating them, or the dissidents deciding to go away. Bradley added that after political engagement, policing becomes a vital part of change.

Bradley acknowledged that policing has not been a complete success but has stabilised the peace process. He noted that Catholic representation has not been sustained, and questioned how young Catholics can be expected to leave their communities to join policing.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the anniversary is a moment of great pride, but acknowledged the percentage of Catholic officers has moved backwards recently. He said society, politicians, and police need to do more to encourage applications, and that he does not know when the PSNI will be truly representative.

Boutcher also highlighted financial challenges, with a static £1bn budget, and said the organisation must be funded to future-proof for the next 25 years.

DUP Policing Board lead Trevor Clarke rejected Bradley's suggestion, stating that you do not negotiate with terrorists but defeat them. He said dissidents are a small rump that cannot be handed a veto over recruitment. Clarke called for strong public support for recruitment from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and the GAA, and said Catholic schools should have an open door to the PSNI.

Clarke also rejected a return to 50:50 recruitment, stating that recruitment must be on merit alone. In March 2026, Boutcher said a return to 50:50 did not feel necessary but nothing is off the table.

Policing Board chair Brendan Mullan called the anniversary a significant milestone and said those who established the PSNI are owed a huge debt. The conference, organised by the PSNI and Policing Board, is being held at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, with 160 delegates.

Lord Patten, in a video recording, said his work on policing was his most important job and he is proud of how it has worked.