Chances of being killed in the PSNI?

I dont see why the chances of death are your main concern here. Obviously the chances of deliberate death are very low for a PSNI officer, as it is for the Gardai. But if you want to make a career of it then who knows where things might be in five years time, or longer.

I think militant republicanism is growing and will continue to grow in the short to medium term, which will increase the riskis involved.

What you should be worried about is the damage to your lifestyle. The paranoia, the looking under your car every morning with a mirror, the looking over your shoulder as you walk the streets, the changing of address and home every while.

That is what your decision should be based upon. Imagine bringing a family up with that sort of fear and suspicion. Not good I would think. And not worth it.

Being a police officer in Northern Ireland is different from being an officer within mainland UK always remember that if you join you are always a target, and always will be, no point in bull ****ting anyone, as long as you know what your getting into, it's not for everyone, mentally too, the PSNI are the only police service that carries guns due to the threat from both sides of the fence, you will always have to be vigilant and being a police officer anywhere has no time off, your a cop 24/7, and even more so here, NI is a very small place always remember that, you'll be hated by some of the public and celebrated by few, and that's the way it is here, Once you become a cop religion doesn't matter if you have that crest on your head, to which many who hate the police as a body see it as the same as the RUC, you will be a target, and that's the way it is and always will be no matter how hard people try and make things change.

You always hear about how the rest of the UK do it in the news and articles concerning policing matters, only thing is, NI is a different kettle of fish when it comes to policing, Scotland England and Wales you will get a far more rounded experience within policing I.e. your typical neighbourhood policing, here you will experience far more in anti terrorism I.e. riots etc and of course the constant bomb threats, also ask anybody that is a current serving officer they will tell you that here we're about 10 years behind in our paper and policing work and the resources that the PSNI have at their disposal compared to say England

I'm an aspiring cop myself so I'm not trying to put anyone off just telling people what I have always been told so when it happens its not as big a shock to some who go in completely unguided, I mean i would go as far to say its my "dream job" and I don't like that term as I feel it's over used within the police recruitment circles as many end up leaving because its not what the expected or had in mind, I get told these things all the time by family who are retired or current serving members, and it's just to be realistic but I was always told it can be the most rewarding and satisfying of jobs, and never join for the sake of money, yeah it's decent pay, and long term wise too, but you can go into public and private jobs were you can earn more money for less of the hassle, lol that's just what I've been told and how I feel about the job, all I can say for me when it comes to that day marching out of the depot I will feel an overwhelming sense of self pride lol

In reference to people who would not be from the North (from the Mainland or the republic) is it possible to mask the fact that you are a police officer and/or your religion?

Remmy you can work in the north and travel to the republic on a daily basis if you want, however you cannot take your weapon with you, that would have to stay in a station before the border. If you mean is it possible to live in the north and mask it for ever then I would say no you cannot, there will always be a neighbour who will suss it out or people in a social circle who will wonder why you work long nights, holidays etc.

Goonerdee wrote: »

What I mean is, only tell immediate family you are applying to join the police, when your in if a stranger asks what you do for a living, make up a job or use an old job, when checking under your car try and be discreet about it, do not travel to/from your house in uniform. Things like that.

Not sure if this still applies:-

I believe that in the past; especially during the height of the 'Troubles', security personnel from the north would have to inform their superiors when travelling south. Superiors would then inform the Garda.

Had a relative in RAF in Belfast in the past, and this was the process they had to follow.


Again, I don't know if this still applies.

MaxPSNI wrote: »

After telling people I'm joining the PSNI, I've had nothing but strong advice to reconsider due to car bombs and shootings. This doesn't worry me; what does worry me is the effect it has on my family/friends who are concerned. I was wondering if anyone had any statistics from the past few years of how many officers died per year? Are they actually that common or is it partly due to the media?

My other question is: are Catholics targeted?

Thank you for the help.

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking how many die in general i.e work related / health related / other - or are you asking how many die as a result of violence?

And in relation to are catholics targeted - ALL police officers are targeted.

Here is a simple rule to follow - Stop telling people what you want to do!!! Don't tell ANYBODY who does not need to know. If you want people to know what you are doing then this is not the job for you.

Thinking about applying and hopefully becoming a psni officer.

But I m from down south (Cork)

so I am worried about the other factors..



Local gardai i know have said to stay away!!

HighburyLad wrote: »

I think it's a good thing if you were to apply and get in, a bit of diversity and all that, but this is the same for everyone who wants to apply, and I've been told this constantly, there is a severe threat the highest since the Omagh bombing and this is from a close source, you will be a target no matter what colour, creed or religion you belong to, when you become a peeler there is no barriers in that sense your all the same, a brotherhood of green lol, I could believe guards would say stay away there's been virtually no transfers and any that have have been short lived up here, you would be seen as traitor to dissidents as such if ever found out, and that's just being honest bud, I think it's a good idea to apply, if the guards were recruiting now I would be applying from up here, though my cousin from here is a guard down south and loves it bar from the destruction that's going on with the AGS which is crazy, but up here is very different from down south, in respect to the sacrifices you would make and the life you would lead with vigilance, I personally wouldn't allow it to deter me, but don't apply without all the information, from what I've heard the guards are in disarray down there so it could be a wait for them to open the doors to templemore lol

Thanks for your very informative and interesting reply Highbury!

I agree with the majority of you said!

And you are rite with the state of AGS at the moment.
I think future recruitment will happen on a much smaller scale with tiny classes going into templemore..

I understand that up the north any PSNI officer will be a target alrite,the nature of the job i suppose unfortunately.

Are you applying for the next campaign in the PSNI yes?

Out of curiosity, what reasons do people give you against joining?