May 06, 2025 | Operational Policing, Investigations and Events , Strategic Partnerships and Community Schemes
Request Number: FOI/14424
Category: Operational policing, Investigations and Events - Community Impact
Subject: Police Officers Based in Schools
Request and Answer:
Request 1A
The number of police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), or other police staff currently assigned to work in or with schools within your force area.
Request 1B
Please break this down by job title (e.g. Police Officer, PCSO, etc.) and by local authority area or school (if possible).
Request 1C
If available, please also distinguish between those permanently based in schools (e.g. School Liaison Officers, Safer Schools Officers) and those who visit schools as part of outreach or other duties.
Request 2A
A list of all schools (including school name and postcode) that currently have a designated police officer or PCSO assigned to them.
Request 2B
If this would exceed the cost limit, please instead provide the total number of such schools, broken down by local authority or policing area.
Request 3A
For each of the last three academic years (e.g. 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24 to date), please provide the number of officers or PCSOs assigned to work in schools or with schools within your force area.
Request 3B
Please include the same breakdowns as above if available.
Answer 1A to 3B
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 (PSNI) does not hold information in relation to your requests. Enquiries made in relation to your request failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided.
PSNI do not have dedicated officers attached to specific schools. Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) officers carry out talks in schools as part of their engagement approach with young people and schools within their district. They will endeavour to meet ad hoc or pre-arranged requests from schools in line with their capacity.
Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access.
Request 4
If your force has any specific policies, protocols, or agreements relating to officers in schools (e.g. Memoranda of Understanding with schools or local authorities), please provide copies of these documents.
Answer 4
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 (PSNI) does not hold information in relation to your requests. Enquiries made in relation to your request failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided.
There are no specific memorandums with schools but we do have good communication channels within the neighbourhood teams.
Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access