February 05, 2026 | Organisational Information and Performance , Police Properties and Estate
Request Number: FOI/16600
Category: Organisational Information & Performance - Procedures
Subject: Policy regarding death of a family member
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 (PSNI) does hold some information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Question 1
Would you mind confirming the policy/procedure you have in place when the PSNI need to contact a member of the public regarding the death of a family member?
Answer
There is no specific policy or procedure regarding delivering a death message to a family member.
Question 2
Does the procedure include a timeline / suggested deadlines by which time family members should be contacted?
Answer
There is no specific legislative requirements relating to timelines of when they should be contacted.
Question 3
Is there training / recommendations in place in terms of how the news is related?
Answer
There is no specific guidelines but officers do receive training on how to relay this difficult message. The lesson takes them through the qualities that are expected of them such as professionalism, respect, efficiency and empathy. There is a practical element to the lesson with the officers delivering a death message. They are also taken through the steps of what to do if attending a sudden death.
Question 4
If you can share more detail on your procedure
Answer
There is no specific procedure.