The Police Service of Northern Ireland today, Thursday 7 August 2025, announced the launch of its Race and Ethnicity Action Plan, reaffirming its commitment to building trust, promoting equality, and improving engagement with all ethnic minority communities across Northern Ireland.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and others pictured at the launch of the Race and Ethnicity Action Plan
(L–R) REAP Senior Responsible Officer Assistant Chief Officer Clare Duffield, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, NI Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma, National Police Race Action Pan lead Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alison Heydari, REAP Programme Lead Detective Chief Superintendent Zoë McKee, Community Worker Preeti Yellamaty

The plan has been developed and informed following public consultation in 2024, where the voice of community representatives, advocacy organisations, and policing partners shared what they expected from policing. 

Through the Plan, the Police Service are making five key commitments:

  • We are committed to being an anti-racist Police Service;
  • We are committed to people from an ethnic minority background feeling safe, valued by and engaged in policing;
  • We are committed to officers and staff from an ethnic minority background feeling safe, valued and are treated fairly and equally in the workplace.
  • We are committed to being a Police Service that respects and is trusted by people from ethnic minority communities;
  • We are a Police Service committed to excellence in diversity, equality, representation and inclusivity.

The plan will be delivered through a number of work-streams, led by senior officers and staff: Internal Culture and Inclusivity; Community Engagement and Relations; Professionalism, Powers and Policy; Protection, Partnership and Justice; Performance and Accountability. 

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said:

“This plan represents our ongoing commitment to our ethnic minority communities ensuring that everyone in Northern Ireland feels safe, supported and respected. We recognise the importance of listening to all communities and working together to build a policing service that truly reflects the diversity of the society we serve.”

 “Recent events have demonstrated the need for decisive action and clear leadership to stamp out racism which clearly exists in communities in Northern Ireland.  We are confident this action plan will drive the work of the Police Service and help us to work more effectively with ethnic minority communities and partners”.      

 “The Race and Ethnicity Action Plan aligns with PSNI’s broader equality, diversity and inclusivity and our work through our  ‘Policing with the Community’ vision, ensuring that tangible actions to address race and ethnicity are embedded across all areas of policing”.

“PSNI is committed to regular updates on the progress of the plan and to continuing open dialogue with ethnic minority communities to ensure it meets their needs”.

A copy of the Race and Ethnicity Action Plan can be found on our website.