Former Chief Constables of PSNI to give evidence to MPs
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee holds the second evidence session of its inquiry exploring the key challenges facing policing and security in NI, including funding pressures, legacy cases and staff recruitment
The Committee will question two former Chief Constables of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Sir George Hamilton and Sir Hugh Orde.
According to evidence submitted by the PSNI, funding remains the organisation’s “foremost challenge”, with its budget falling by 20% between 2010 and 2020 in real-terms. Considering these pressures, MPs are likely to ask how reduced funding is affecting the PSNI’s capacity to deliver its services.
Meeting details
The Committee is also likely to ask about PSNI’s new recruitment campaign and its measures to improve the diversity of applicants, particularly among Catholic and ethnic minority communities. Catholics currently account for 31.8% of all PSNI officers.
Other topics which may be discussed include national security challenges and paramilitary disbandment.