Belfast conference marks 25 years of PSNI and examines future challenges

A two-day Belfast conference will mark the PSNI’s 25th anniversary, bringing together more than 160 delegates to examine its record and the challenges ahead. Speaking ahead of the event, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the milestone as a time for pride and renewed purpose.

The PSNI and Northern Ireland Policing Board have organised the conference in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. Those attending will include academics, policing leaders, oversight figures and representatives from the wider criminal justice system.

The PSNI was established in 2001, incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Public confidence and changing demands

Boutcher paid tribute to officers and staff for their work protecting vulnerable people, keeping communities safe and building trust. He said their commitment in difficult circumstances had shaped the service.

He acknowledged that the force had faced challenges as society’s expectations changed, new types of crime emerged and threats became more complex.

“This significant anniversary is therefore both a moment to look back with great pride and an opportunity to look forward with purpose,” Boutcher said.

He said future policing would need adaptability, innovation and different ways of working, while retaining consent, fairness and respect as core principles.

Policing Board chairman Brendan Mullan said shifts in crime, demographics and technology would bring further change. He described the conference as an opportunity to discuss how policing and its oversight could strengthen public confidence and improve outcomes for communities.