Skip to content

Taoiseach attends PSNI student officers passing out event

Julian O'NeillCrime and justice correspondent, BBC News NI
PA Media Sir Chris and Martin shaking hands as they greet each other, they are wearing suits with shirts and ties. Boutcher is looking on as he also wears his police uniform with the medals.PA Media
Sir Chris Bryant, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Micheál Martin met before the ceremony on Friday

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin has marked the 25th anniversary of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) by attending a passing out event for student officers in Belfast on Friday.

It is the first time that an Irish prime minister has been to one of the ceremonies.

Along with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant, he watched about 40 student officers affirm the oath of office at the PSNI's training college in east Belfast.

Speaking ahead of the event, Martin congratulated the officers and said that the PSNI was "a key part of delivering the Good Friday Agreement and the peace that it made possible".

"The government of Ireland is committed to building on the achievements of that peace, deepening the cooperation across our jurisdictions, and harnessing the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement," he added.

PA Media Boutcher, Martin and Sir Chris standing next to each other clapping as the new recruits walk past. They are in uniform or wearing a suit. The face of the new recruits is not seen.PA Media
Boutcher, Sir Chris and Martin watched about 40 student officers affirm the oath of office
Pacemaker Martin spoke to PSNI constables at their passing out ceremony Pacemaker
Martin spoke to PSNI constables at their passing out ceremony

Sir Chris also congratulated the officers, saying that "stepping forward into public service requires immense courage, integrity, and dedication to the community".

"The UK Government remains steadfast in its support for the PSNI as it continues to serve the people of Northern Ireland".

The officers entered the police training college in June and have successfully completed their 22-week training course.

Boutcher said the new officers "will go out and police the streets of Northern Ireland with a determination to keep everyone safe".

"These new officers will be working in districts across the country, working alongside every other officer who has graduated from the Police College in the last 25 years," he added.

"Policing is more than a job – it is a vocation. I hope people in our diverse communities will be inspired by these officers today, and make their own application to join our Service."

PA Media A green booklet outlining the ceremony. It is bottle green with the policer service symbol.PA Media
The officers entered the police training college in June and have successfully completed their 22-week training course

The PSNI was created out of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) as a new beginning for policing, after work by Lord Patten, a former government minister.

One of the key objectives was to build greater community support for the police and increase Catholic officers.

The PSNI and An Garda Síochána (Irish police) have a close working relationship, including combating planned attacks by dissident republican groups such as the New IRA.

In August, the garda commissioner Justin Kelly attended a PSNI passing out ceremony at the invitation of chief constable Jon Boutcher.

Martin said: "I look forward to extending my congratulations to all the new constables being conferred at today's attestation ceremony.

"This is a proud day for them and their families, and I wish the new officers every success in their policing careers.

"I am also pleased to be in Belfast for today's ceremony as we mark 25 years since the establishment of the PSNI and the significant achievements made since the Patten Commission."