Northern Ireland

Chief constable welcomes 7% pay rise for PSNI officers

Justice minister Naomi Long announced the increase on Monday

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. (Liam McBurney/PA)

Pay for police officers in the north is to increase by 7% following approval by Stormont’s justice minister.

Naomi Long said the pay award is consistent with the recommendations of the independent police remuneration review body.

She said the rise is in recognition of “vital work”, adding: “Police officers play a crucial role in our society in upholding justice and safeguarding our communities and for that I thank them.”

Naomi Long has claimed the justice department is ‘disproportionately underfunded’
Stormont's justice minister Naomi Long. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY (Liam McBurney/PA)

The PSNI has confirmed that this pay remit is affordable from within the organisation’s 2023-24 budget allocation.

Although future budgets have not been set, the PSNI has confirmed it will ensure that the cost of the pay remit is prioritised from within the future budgets allocated.

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PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “Since taking up post in November last year, I have been relentless in making sure that my voice has been heard to ensure our officers get the 7% pay award that they deserve.



“The Service Executive Team and I have been working closely with colleagues in the Department of Justice and the Department of Finance and I welcome today’s announcement.

“I want to reassure police staff colleagues that I am also fully committed to ensure that they get their pay award and that I will continue to work to secure that outcome.”