Service Instructions

Adult Safeguarding - 12/06/2023

This Service Instruction provides guidance on Adult Safeguarding and how the Police Service of Northern Ireland should respond to Adults at Risk of Harm and Adults in Need of Protection through criminal investigations, safeguarding activity and normal contact.

Animals and Wildlife - 29/02/2024

This Service Instruction provides guidance to officers when dealing with animal and wildlife incidents and the associated offences and welfare issues.

Appropriate Personal Relationships and Behaviours in the Workplace - 12/01/2023

This Service Instruction is intended to raise awareness of the issue of appropriate relationships, how they can affect perceptions of fairness in the workplace, and outlines each individual’s personal responsibilities to declare any conflicts of interest.

Bail - 24/08/2022

This Service Instruction explains the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s approach to the grant of bail within custody suites. This instruction also outlines the approach to monitoring those persons who have been released on bail, whether by police or a court, with conditions imposed.

CBRNe - 12/06/2023

Terrorist attacks involving the use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials (CBRN) potentially involving explosives (e) as a means of dissemination are thankfully rare in the United Kingdom.

Charging for Special Police Services - 02/03/2017

The objective of the Service Instruction is to provide a framework for officers and staff to determine the level and extent of any charges to be applied upon receipt of a request to provide special police services, including any levels of abatement.

Child Protection - 17/10/2023

This Service Instruction provides the Police Service of Northern Ireland with clear information on how to safeguard and protect those children and young people that they come into contact with during the course of their duty.

Collision Investigation - 05/05/2022

This Service Instruction is to aid consistent and rational decisions about the level of investigation required for each reported collision, including collisions involving police vehicles.

Confidential Information from Members of the Public - 26/07/2021

This Service Instruction seeks to provide instruction on how The Police Service of Northern Ireland manages information provided by members of the public and increase public confidence in how information is handled.

Corporate Governance Committee Structure - 02/03/2017

This Service Instruction outlines the governance committee structure in place to ensure a consistent and professional approach to corporate governance within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Covert Surveillance of Legal Consultations - 25/04/2022

Directed surveillance that is carried out in relation to anything taking place on any specified premises at any time during the surveillance, used for the purpose of legal consultations shall be treated for the purposes of Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 as intrusive surveillance.

Critical Incident Management and Community Impact Assessments - 02/12/2021

This Service Instruction relates to the management of Critical Incidents and the completion of a Community Impact Assessment.  A Critical Incident can be internal or external to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. 

Data Protection - 11/02/2019

This Service Instruction clearly defines the responsibilities placed on the Police Service of Northern Ireland to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation. Adherence to this Service Instruction will assist in meeting the objectives of the overall Information Management Service Policy.

Declarable Associations - 28/11/2023

This Service Instruction provides guidance and direction to all Police Officers and Staff to notify their own line management and the Service Vetting Unit (SVU) of any association that has the potential to undermine public confidence in the PSNI. 

Disclosure - 18/04/2023

This Service Instruction outlines Police Service of Northern Ireland specific Disclosure advice in support of the Disclosure Standards for Northern Ireland as agreed with the Public Prosecution Service. This is in line with Service Policy 0116 – Criminal Justice; and the legislation contained within the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) 1996.

DNA Elimination and Fingerprint Databases - 17/01/2023

This Service Instruction provides guidance concerning how the Police Service of Northern Ireland take, use, retain and record Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) samples and profiles from Police Officers deemed at risk of contaminating crime scenes and evidential materials.

Domestic Abuse - 24/01/24

This Service Instruction provides guidance to officers on how the Police Service of Northern Ireland should respond to, report and investigate domestic incidents and details the overarching principles.  It is supplemented by guidance produced by the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice on– ‘Major Investigation and Public Protection - Domestic Abuse’

Driving of Police Vehicles - 18/11/2022

This Service Instruction sets out the arrangements for police officers and police staff driver training, testing, classification, authorisation, appointment and removal.

Fraud Response Plan - 22/02/2017

This instruction outlines the areas of responsibility for managing the risk of fraud and the procedures to be followed in the event of fraud, or attempted fraud, being suspected.

Freedom of Information - 02/10/2019

This Service Instruction clearly defines the responsibilities placed on the Police Service of Northern Ireland to ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Adherence to this Service Instruction will assist in meeting the objectives of the overall Service Procedure 0816 Information Management Service Policy.

Gifts Gratuities and Hospitality - 28/03/2019

This Service Instruction provides police officers and police staff with a framework to determine the boundaries of acceptability regarding the receipt of gifts and hospitality.

Hate Crime - 25/04/2023

This service instruction provides detailed operational guidance as to how the Police Service of Northern Ireland should respond to, report and investigate hate crime incidents, together with overarching principles. The principles make clear that the new procedures will prioritise the perception of the victim and will accept without challenge this perception of the victim throughout the investigation of the hate crime incident.

Health and Safety - 18/01/2023

All employees of the Police Service, both police officers and police staff, and secondees to the police and others to whom the Police Service would appear to be the host employer have a role to play in securing the objectives of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Health and Safety Policy. 

Honour Based Violence And Forced Marriage - 20/12/2018

The aim of this Service Instruction is to provide the Police Service of Northern Ireland with clear information on how to respond to and investigate instances of honour based violence and forced marriage.

Information Security - 19/10/2023

This Service Instruction clearly defines the Information Assurance responsibilities of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and ensures the organisation meets mandatory obligations.

International Enquiries - 08/11/2023

This Service Instruction gives guidance to investigators in relation to conducting enquiries in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere outside the United Kingdom. 

Interview Records–Non-Terrorist Crime - 19/05/2023

This Service Instruction relates to the completion of an Interview Booklet and interviews when Digital Interview Recording (DIR) is not available for use.

Leaving The Service - 24/10/2023

This Service Instruction has been created to enable consistent practice within the Police Service of Northern Ireland around leaving the service.

Locate - 18/11/2022

The Police Service of Northern Ireland utilises the LOCATE vehicle and driver performance management system which has been fitted to the vast majority of vehicles.

The system provides management information and data on a range of driver and vehicle related subjects including the speeds at which a vehicle has been driven.

Maintaining Professional Boundaries - 31/07/2023

This Service Instruction provides guidance and instruction to all members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland as to appropriate boundaries regarding social contact with those they have met in the course of their duties and the accountability mechanisms for the proper conduct of professional relationships.

Major Incidents - 15/08/2022

Consequence Management including the application of the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) Joint Doctrine.

Media Guidelines - 04/07/2023

This Service Instruction defines how the Police Service of Northern Ireland interacts with a responds to requests from the media.

Military Assistance to the Police Service of Northern Ireland - 10/11/2023

A range of military assistance can be requested under military aid to the Civil Authority (MACA).  

Missing Persons - 17/07/2023

This Service Instruction provides detailed operational guidance on how the Police Service of Northern Ireland should investigate Missing Persons.

National Enquiries - 08/08/2019

This Service Instruction gives guidance in relation to conducting enquiries throughout the United Kingdom.

Off Duty Standards - 28/11/2023

This Service Instruction provides guidance and direction to police officers and staff of the standards of behaviour expected relating to off duty conduct and activities.

Official Issue Paper Pocket Notebooks, Digital Notebooks, Journals and Daybooks - 21/08/2023

This Service Instruction details the issue, accounting and retention procedures in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for official issue Paper Pocket Notebooks (PNB), Digital Notebooks (DNB), Journals, and Daybooks.

Overtime - 24/10/2023

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to making the best use of all available resources. There are occasions when the use of overtime is the most effective and efficient way to ensure that the right resources are correctly deployed to target prevailing demand or to address local policing issues.

Personal Protection Weapons - 28/03/2023

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will utilise this criteria when considering applications for the issue of a firearm certificate for a Personal Protection Weapon.

Personal Security when Completing External Information - 11/03/2024

Occasions may arise when individuals are requested to disclose their occupation and private address to a variety of government agencies and private organisations when transacting essential business matters that are an integral part of everyday life. Whilst it is often impossible to conceal one's true identity in such transactions, an attempt should be made to reduce the risks involved.

Police Misconduct Procedures - 20/01/2023

This Service Instruction sets out how misconduct matters involving police officers up to and including Chief Superintendent rank will be dealt with and applies to matters coming to attention on or after 1st June 2016.

Police Officer Unsatisfactory Performance - 23/02/2017

Unsatisfactory Performance is an inability or failure to perform the duties of the rank or role currently being undertaken, to a satisfactory standard or level.

Police Pursuits - 22/01/2020

This Service Instruction outlines the Police Service of Northern Ireland specific guidance in support of that provided in Authorised Professional Practice Police Pursuits and relevant Codes of Practice.

Police Search - 31/07/2020

This Service Instruction outlines Police Service of Northern Ireland specific search guidance in support of that provided in Authorised Professional Practice Search and relevant Codes of Practice.

Property - 05/10/2023

This Service Instruction provides guidance for Officers and Staff in respect of the seizure, handling, storage and disposal of property.

Public Complaints and the Role of the Police Ombudsman - 19/07/2018

It is the policy of the Police Service to work professionally and productively with Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland in effectively dealing with, and reducing, complaints against the Service. By dealing with complaints in a timely and responsive manner we can demonstrate accountability, and inspire confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Records Management - 05/07/2023

The purpose of this service instruction is to deliver a consistent approach to Records Management across the Police Service of Northern Ireland, establish requirements designed to help staff meet legal obligations relating to Records Management and to manage records so that their value as a corporate resource is fully protected, exploited and fully utilised within the applicable legal framework.

Restricted Patrolling and Out of Bounds Areas - 29/02/2024

Areas within Northern Ireland can either be placed Out of Bounds or have patrolling restrictions imposed on them, which will apply to police, police staff, police contractors and other agencies.

Retention and Deletion of PACE Biometrics - (Interim Service Instruction)

This Interim Service Instruction defines the responsibilities placed on the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to ensure compliance with the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the PSNI’s obligations under ECHR in respect of the retention and deletion of biometric information pending the introduction of anticipated new Northern Ireland legislation.   

Risk Management - 09/08/2022

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is focused on good governance. The management of risk is a key method of providing such governance. This instruction outlines how we will engage risk internally and with partners.

Serious Crime Scenes - 07/09/2021

For the Police Service of Northern Ireland the aim of any scene examination is to maximise the recording and recovery of information and physical evidence so that the material recovered becomes an integral part of the investigation.

Service Confidence Procedure - 29/08/2023

This Service Instruction outlines protective measures that may be put in place when the Police Service loses confidence in an Officer, with a view to managing and reducing risk.

Service Vetting - 11/02/2021

This service instruction outlines the various forms of vetting which apply to police officers and police staff, depending upon their role.

Sexual Violence and Abuse - 16/08/2017

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to robust challenge and investigation into sexual violence and abuse in all its forms.

Social Media - 06/07/2023

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s strategic aim in using social media is to engage professionally with the public, partners, stakeholders and media.

Stalking and Harassment - 01/08/2022

This Service Instruction provides guidance and clear information on how the Police Service of Northern Ireland should respond to, report and investigate cases of stalking and harassment. It details the overarching principles and is supplemented by guidance produced by College of Policing.

Stop and Search - 02/09/2021

This Service Instruction outlines Police Service of Northern Ireland specific stop and search guidance, in support of that provided in Authorised Professional Practice stop and the relevant codes of practice.

Substance and Alcohol Misuse Testing - 18/01/2023

The purpose of this Service Instruction is to deter Substance & Alcohol misuse in the Police Service of Northern Ireland with a view to ensuring safe working practices within the Organisation.

Supporting Victims & Witnesses - 29/05/2018

This Service Instruction is relevant to all officers who have contact with victims or witnesses during the course of their duties.

Threats to Life - 20/01/2022

This Service Instruction and its associated appendices provide the Police Service of Northern Ireland with a standardised and structured framework upon which to record, assess, manage and resolve matters that involve threats to life, either direct or indirect.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems - 12/12/2023

This Service Instruction provides information on the governance, use and accountability of unmanned aircraft systems within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Use of Personal Mobiles on Duty - 12/01/23

This Service Instruction is intended to provide direction regarding the use of personal mobile devices in duty, either on the workplace or on agile duty,

Wanted Persons - 12/04/2018

This Service Instruction explains the Police Service of Northern Irelands’ approach to locating persons wanted by police at all stages of the criminal justice process.

Wellbeing Hubs - 16/09/2021

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has developed an integrated approach to the wellbeing care and support of officers deployed at pre-planned large scale public order operations.

Whistleblowing - 16/04/2024

This Service Instruction provides guidance to the Police Service of Northern Ireland Officers, Staff and Contractors in relation to the process of making public interest disclosures and outlines how such reports will be dealt with.

Youth Justice - 30/01/2024

This Service Instruction will provide guidance for officers when dealing with young people suspected of committing offences.