Northern Ireland’s Department for Justice has announced a police pay deal has been signed off thanks to the devolved government being up and running again with a ministerial team in place.

The increase, for federated and superintending ranks, is consistent with the recommendations of the independent Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB).

The award applies a 2.5% increase to officer pay scales with a similar increase to both the Northern Ireland Transitional Allowance (NITA) and the Dog Handlers’ Allowance. 

But it is the third year in a row that a deal has been delayed due to the suspension of Stormont. 

A month ago PFNI Chair, Mark Lindsay, wrote to the newly installed Justice Minister, Naomi Long asking her to get the matter resolved 'without delay'  pointing out that the Federation were about to enter discussions on a new pay round for 20/21. 

He said: “This situation can be remedied at a stroke of the pen and I would ask the new Minister to show that the restoration of devolved institutions actually counts for something with prompt and decisive action."
Negotiations will now begin to get agreement on the next pay deal.

A spokesperson for the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) said: “This pay increase should have come into force from the 1st September last year and it will come as some relief that it will finally appear in payslips at the end of the month.

“We welcome confirmation that the increase will be backdated. We will shortly engage with the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) on a new round of pay discussions with a view to securing agreement by June. This 2.5% increase retains core pay spines with colleagues in England and Wales and we are determined to maintain that position once we enter formal discussions.”

Justice Minister, Naomi Long, said the deal was a much-needed morale boost to current officers and would help with the major recruitment campaign that is under way: “I welcome the conclusion of the 2019/20 pay round for PSNI officers in the federated and superintending ranks.  The award is consistent with the recommendations of the independent Police Remuneration Review Body and recognises the work of police officers in Northern Ireland.”

“Our police officers are committed to serving everyone in Northern Ireland and keeping people safe. It is a crucial role at the heart of our community.”