November 06, 2025 | Organisational Information and Performance , Policies
Request Number: FOI/16025
Category: Organisational Information & Performance - Policies
Subject: Promotion Process
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
My question is in relation to the promotion processes held within the organisation.
Question 1
Can appointments to a new promoted post be based on anything other than an HR generated merit list? For example, could promotion also be based on community impact / organisational needs?
Answer
For promotions the following principles are applied -
Merit position (where it has been determined) will be the initial consideration of the panel but it is not the final determining factor for promotions. Other factors that will be considered include: business, community / stakeholder continuity and the maintenance of overall organisational stability and the preferences expressed by the individual.