March 18, 2025 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Health and Wellbeing (Including Sick Absences and Retirement)
Request Number: FOI-13936
Category: Human Resources - Health and Wellbeing
Subject: Police and Weight Loss Jabs
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 some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We do not however hold information in relation to request numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6.
We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request 1
Can you provide answers to the questions below:
How many officers have there been in your Police Force for the years 2023, 2024, 2025?
Request 2
Please specify: Male / Female / Non Binary in each year.
Answers 1 and 2
Please see the answers to requests 1 and 2 provided in the table below. Please note we do not record non-binary or any other gender variation, we only record male or female.
| Police Officer Headcount Figures 2023-2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Officer Headcount | Total | |
| Male | Female | ||
| 01/01/2023 | 4653 | 2137 | 6790 |
| 01/01/2024 | 4431 | 2078 | 6509 |
| 01/01/2025 | 4265 | 2041 | 6306 |
| Note: Headcount figures provided excluding career breaks | |||
Request 3
How many officers in your Police Force are classed as overweight or obese, in each year 2023, 2024, 2025?
PLEASE NOTE: That is obesity is measured as someone with a BMI of 35 or more, a BMI of 32.5 or more if they are of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin.
Request 4
Can you specify: Male / Female / Non Binary in each year.
Request 5
How many Police Officers are currently on weight-loss drugs, paid for or reimbursed by the Police Force? 2023, 2024, 2025 (now)
Request 6
Can you specify: Male / Female / Non Binary in each year.
Answers 3 – 6
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does not hold any information in relation to requests 3 to 6.
Please note this response is in conjunction with the following caveat:
On occasions, PSNI will record the weight of Police Officers. Examples include, when Police Officers complete a Physical Competence Assessment for Student Officer Training Programme, Probationer Training, Specialist Unit Recruitment or Specialist Unit Annual In-service.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is not recorded therefore, PSNI would not have information in relation to obesity.