The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Jon Boutcher, welcomed the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Chris Bryant, and An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to an attestation ceremony for 36 new officers on Friday 6 November 2026 at the Police College in Garnerville, east Belfast.

The cohort joined the college in June and has completed a 22-week training programme. They now move into a two-year probationary period, during which they will be mentored and work towards a BSc (Hons) Degree or Graduate Certificate in Policing and Criminology (Applied Practice).

Speaking at the event, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "This week the Police Service of Northern Ireland turned 25 and today's attestation of 36 student officers is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of each of them. The officers attested in front of their extremely proud families, they will go out and police the streets of Northern Ireland with a determination to keep everyone safe.

"Our first set of Police Service of Northern Ireland officers entered Garnerville in November 2001 and were part of the new beginning policing.

"Since the inception of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, 25 years ago, over 6,000 officers have taken the same oath, with the first squad attesting on 5 April 2002.

"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.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each person who has attested today and wish them every success in their policing career. We should all congratulate and thank each officer for stepping up to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.  Being a police officer is the finest public service anyone can do." Chief Constable Boutcher continued: "We recently launched a recruitment campaign for student officers, as we aim to encourage people from all backgrounds to step forward and help build a safer, more peaceful and connected Northern Ireland.

"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."

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Chris Bryant, said: "I want to warmly congratulate each of the 36 new officers following today's attestation - a proud moment for them personally, and for their families. Stepping forward into public service requires immense courage, integrity, and dedication to the community. 

"The 25th anniversary of the PSNI serves as a vital reminder of how important modern, representative, and community-based policing is to the peace, stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland. The UK Government remains steadfast in its support for the PSNI as it continues to serve the people of Northern Ireland, and I wish every graduate the very best as they begin their service to protect and support all communities."

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said: "I would like to extend my congratulations to all of the new Constables conferred at today's attestation ceremony at the Northern Ireland Police College.

"This is no doubt a proud day for the new officers and their families, and I wish them every success in their policing careers.

"I am especially pleased to mark 25 years since the establishment of the PSNI and the significant achievements made since the Patten Commission.

"The creation of 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."