There are a range of exciting opportunities open to you after you complete your two year probationary period and have also completed your one year commitment period to your initial District. You may choose to stay within the Local Policing Team, or to apply for a Specialist role.
Please check the pods below to explore where your career with the Police Service of Northern Ireland may lead you.
New Constables will spend the first three years attached to Local Policing Teams. You may wish to continue serving in Local Policing Teams however once confirmed in rank and having also completed your one year commitment period, a range of opportunities open up across the Service. Furthermore you may wish to seek promotion through the ranks as follows:
If you wish to take your police career in a particular direction see the Specialist Roles section for some examples and for further information.
Click on the photos below for more information on some of the specialisms.
Ensuring the safety and security of all road users.
Providing an effective, efficient, high quality approach to policing demands in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, with specialist capability in search and public order.
Conduct investigations from crime scene to conclusion seeking prosecutions for the more serious and complex criminal cases on behalf of victims and the community.
Specialist investigators investigate some of the most serious crime, against some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Public Protection Branch is made up of the following:
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.
It is important to point out that the ‘something’ may not always be tangible items such as food, drugs, alcohol or money, but also can include intangible items such as perceived affection, protection or a sense of belonging.
Detective Superintendent Gary Reid emphasises, “as police officers, it is our responsibility to protect those young people at risk of exploitation and disrupt and prosecute offenders”.
Providing armed protection to various visiting members of the Royal Family, Government Ministers and members of the judicial system
Intelligence drives police operations against Child Sexual Exploitation, cyber-enabled crime, Human Trafficking, drugs, robbery, paramilitarism and the security threat.
To equip you for a role in Intelligence branch you will receive bespoke training, whether that be on how to handle information to grade and sanitise to protect the confidentiality of the person providing it through to specific analytical training. You must have completed your probation, be operationally fit prior to applying and have a police driving card. Officers who apply will go through a number of assessments and development as follows:
To utilise police dogs to prevent and respond to crime and disorder.
Keeping individuals and communities safe from crimes such as fraud, human exploitation, illegal commodity supply, hate crime and hacking.
*‘computer network’ refers to a number of connected computers and or other electronic devices. The computers and devices which are part of the network can "talk" to each other and exchange information.
Within the police service being a leader is not just about rank or grade; individuals at every level are being exposed to situations requiring them to demonstrate leadership ability. The nature of the service we deliver and the role we perform in society brings with it significant responsibility and an expectation that everyone in our organisation is capable of fulfilling a leadership role.
The PSNI take a pragmatic approach to developing our leaders and managers; one that recognises both the organisation's and the individual’s responsibility and contribution with regards their own development at the various levels of police leadership.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to attracting, developing, progressing and retaining highly talented officers.
The Fast Track Programme is a development and promotion mechanism used to enable the most talented to advance to the rank of Inspector within two years.
The Fast Track Programme focuses on leadership, management and the provision of operational skills, knowledge and experience, and provides an understanding of policy and practice through study and practical experience.
Training will continue to be a vital aspect of your role and courses are run locally within your district, department and at the Police College.
The mandatory training courses that you will continue to complete during your time as an officer are outlined below:
To train police officers in Tactical Firearms skills commensurate with the core skills profile. Police officers are required to carry out this training twice a year.
To train non-operational police officers in Firearms skills and use of force commensurate with the core skills profile. Police officers are required to carry out this training once a year.
To enable you to achieve competency in skills necessary to provide initial assistance or treatment to someone who is injured or suddenly taken ill. Police officers are required to carry out this training once every three years.
To provide you with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to enable you to manage conflict and ensure the safety of police officers and the public whilst carrying out your duties. Police officers are required to carry out this training once a year.
Throughout your learning and development journey you’ll be encouraged to maximise your potential.
Within the Police Service of Northern Ireland you will have the opportunity to progress in your career and continually develop. A range of processes and programmes are in place to help facilitate this:
Leadership Training Faculty at the Police College NI provide a number of opportunities to develop both individuals and teams, across the organisation. The training provided supports the wider People and Culture Strategy 2020-25, and is underpinned by the CVF values.
The Leadership Training Faculty currently offer the following leadership pathways and training:
This programme is ongoing for Deputy Principal, Chief Inspector and above.
The programme is delivered in collaboration with the College of Policing and is aligned to the University of Portsmouth’s Leadership and Management Faculty for accreditation.
This new programme is currently being designed for Sergeant, EO2 and above.
These Leadership masterclasses, facilitated by both internal and external experts, have been designed to support our people and provide an opportunity for development.
The Insights Discovery methodology uses a simple and memorable four colour model to help people understand their style, their strengths and the value they bring to the team. We are presently offering Insights Discovery 'Team Effectiveness Workshops', either virtually or face to face.
The workshop focuses on;
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has an established culture of continuous professional development linked to the Internal Professional Development Review (PDR) system. Individuals will use the PDR platform as a means to strive for continuous performance development. Within the PDR, which is led through line management, continuous performance conversations will be held on a regular basis to reflect your progress, achievements, support needed and identify any development requirements.