'It will show the true PSNI' - PSNI considering appearing on Channel 4's 24 hour in Police Custody

Northern Ireland’s chief constable has confirmed consideration is being given to the PSNI being featured on the television programme 24 Hours In Police Custody.

The Channel 4 programme gives viewers an insight into the reality of what happens behind the walls of a police station, from arrests to holding cells and investigation teams.

PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher

PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher said the force is currently working with a local production company and described some of the footage so far as “extremely moving”.

He also expressed hope that it will help “show the true PSNI” to the public and help with recruitment from diverse communities.

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The former Bedfordshire chief constable told a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board that he had experience with the programme in a former role, and described it as showing the human side of policing and its challenges.

“It had an incredibly positive effect on local confidence in policing and recruitment from diverse communities, and we’re looking to do the same here,” he said.

“We’ve started that work but it’s incredibly difficult here because of the security here, this is a different operating environment.

“But I think if we can show people the true PSNI which often I don’t think is reflected in the media, what people do day in and day out, and some of the footage that we have seen from the work so far is extremely moving.

“I think that will have a huge impact, but that’s very much in the early phase of what we’re seeking to do.”