Colin McGrath MLA, an SDLP member of the Policing Board, has stated that the dwindling number of Catholic applicants to the PSNI should be a cause for significant concern. In the most recent recruitment drive, only 27% of applicants were from a Catholic background, marking the lowest percentage recorded since 2013.

The South Down MLA suggested that this downward trend has been evident for a period of time and that the current figures are not unexpected. According to Policing Board projections, the proportion of officers from a Catholic background could fall to just 23% within the next ten years if significant changes are not implemented.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: "There will be much commentary around this 13-year low in Catholic applicants to join the PSNI, but unfortunately this trajectory has been clear for some time and these figures are in no way surprising. Unless we see drastic changes things will only get worse, with Policing Board projections putting the number of officers from a Catholic background at just 23% in ten years' time.

"The reasons for the decline are complex and there are no easy answers. The threat from dissidents still looms in the background, the handling of legacy cases and a number of high-profile mistakes, including the data breach, would give many pause when considering a career in policing. I welcome and appreciate the efforts of Chief Constable Jon Boutcher to address these issues. "I would also note a drop in applications from women and the LGBT+ community as cause for concern, though a small increase in applicants from ethnic minority communities is welcome. Issues with building a representative police service stretch far beyond the Catholic and Nationalist community.

"When it comes to policing the SDLP has never been found wanting, we have supported the police and encouraged people to apply, even when it hasn't always been easy. Last year SDLP Leader Claire Hanna called for an independent review of policing and the rule of law institutions to stop this slide backwards. This must be taken seriously by the PSNI, the Executive and particularly the Justice Minister, alongside the UK and Irish Governments.

"Without a major intervention this situation will only get worse in the years ahead with serious consequences for confidence in policing and society as a whole."

Mr McGrath highlighted that while there has been a minor rise in applicants from ethnic minorities, the decrease in applications from women and the LGBT+ community is also worrying. He noted that the challenges in creating a representative police force extend beyond just the Catholic and Nationalist communities.

The SDLP has maintained its support for the police service, with party leader Claire Hanna calling for an independent review of policing and rule of law institutions last year to address the current decline. Mr McGrath concluded that without a major intervention from the PSNI, the Executive, the Justice Minister, and both the UK and Irish Governments, the situation will deteriorate further, impacting public confidence.