June 23, 2025 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Health and Wellbeing (Including Sick Absences and Retirement)
Request Number: FOI/14784
Category: Human Resources – Health and Wellbeing
Subject: Neurodivergent Officers
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request 1
How many police officers do you have in your organisation that are neurodivergent, can this data be broken down per condition and or rank (i.e. autism, ADHD, dyslexia etc)?
Answer 1
| Rank | Autism or Asperger Syndrome | Learning Disability | Reading Difficulty | Writing Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable | 15 | 40 | 39 | 40 |
| Sergeant | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Inspector | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Chief Inspector | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | 47 | 46 | 46 |
Data is correct as at 1/6/2025.
Disability information is self-declared and the above officers have chosen the disability categories which would correlate with neurodivergent conditions.
Request 2
Do you have data on neurodivergent people who have applied/ been successful or failed the Sergeant promotion process?
Answer 2
37 Constables who declared they had reading difficulties, writing difficulties, a learning disability or had Autism/Asperger Syndrome, applied to the Sergeant’s promotion process. This process remains ongoing, therefore the remaining data requested cannot be provided at this time.
Request 3
What is the process in your force for the Police Constable to Sergeant promotion?
Answer 3
Following eligibility checks, the promotion process involves two main stages;
Stage 1: Legal Examination
Stage 2: A structured interview using the Competency and Values Framework
Request 4
What support is offered to autistic/ neurodivergent candidates as part of the Police Constable to Sergeant promotion process?
Answer 4
Candidates are asked to indicate if they require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation. These are then dealt with on a case by case basis.
Request 5
Does your force have a neurodiversity strategy or policy? Of so could you provide a copy of summary?
Answer 5
We do not currently have a policy in place.
Request 6
Has the force conducted any reviews or evaluations on how inclusive the Police Constable to Sergeant promotion process if for autistic/ neurodivergent officers? If yes can you provide a summary/report?
Answer 6
No.