Northern Ireland

PSNI spent £275,000 on ‘meet and greet’ events for police officers

‘Team PSNI’ gatherings have been taking place since 2024

Fresh concerns about representation in the PSNI have been raised following new recruitment figures
The PSNI has spent almost £300,000 on 'meet and greet' style events
By Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent

Cash-strapped PSNI leaders have paid out almost £275,000 on ‘meet and greet’ gatherings for officers.

Figures obtained by the Irish News reveal that between September 2024 and January this year, the PSNI spent £274,800 on a series of ‘Team PSNI’ events.

In total, 12 events were held over a 16-month period - working out at £22,900 per gathering - at the PSNI’s Newforge Sports Complex in south Belfast.

Police initially said they intended to hold 17 ‘Team PSNI’ events with the anticipated end date this month.

Police have been urged to explain the almost £300,000 cost of 'Team PSNI' events
Police have been urged to explain the almost £275,000 cost of 'Team PSNI' events

Attendance is mandatory for all officers and civilian staff.

Despite revealing the cost of hosting the gatherings until January, the force has refused to confirm how much has been paid out to a speaker who took part.

In a statement, the PSNI said the events are “for police officers and staff to engage with the Chief Constable and members of the senior leadership team to enable colleagues to build relationships, hear from guest speakers and learn more about the organisation, its different departments and staff associations”.

Details of the significant spend come after senior PSNI figures, including chief constable Jon Boutcher, complained about underfunding and the ongoing impact on police work.

Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit assembly member, has now raised concerns about the cost of the events, adding that “PSNI owes the public an explanation for this extortionate spend”.

“Forking over tens of thousands of pounds on what are essentially internal meetings with guest speakers is incredibly difficult to justify - especially at a time when the entire executive is pleading poverty,” he added.

Mr Carroll said the PSNI needs to examine its priorities.

“The PSNI has recently complained about not having sufficient funding to increase officer numbers,” he said.

“Communities urgently need to see significant investment in ending violence against women and girls, in prevention programmes and restorative justice.

“This expenditure suggests a complete misalignment of priorities.”

While the PSNI has confirmed there was a paid speaker at the events, it has refused to provide details of who it was, claiming this “constitutes personal data and disclosure would contravene any of the data protection principles”.