The closing date for applications to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland was Friday 23 October.
Commenting on the number of applications received Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said: “We received a total of 5,498 applications to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
“I am greatly encouraged that in a period of just four weeks we have had so many people show that they are prepared to step up to the challenge of a career in policing within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
“Each of the applicants has now started their journey through a rigorous and challenging process, which has been developed to ensure that the very best candidates will go forward to be offered a place on the training programme.
“Successful applicants will be invited to complete the 22 weeks of intensive training at the Police Training College which will include practical and operational policing skills, to ensure they are mentally and physically equipped to perform the important role of police officer.”
Successful applicants the commence training in Summer 2016.
The breakdown of initial candidates by religion and gender are:
- Protestant: 3,590 65.30%
- Catholic: 1,749 31.81%
- Undetermined: 159 2.89%
- Male:3,537 64.33%
- Female: 1,961 35.67%
- Campaign two which ran in May 2014
There were 5,856 applicants in phase two.
Breakdown of candidates by religion and gender:
- Protestant:3,958 67.59%
- Catholic:1,718, 29.34 %
- Undetermined:180 3.07%
- Male:3,780 64.55%
- Female:2,076 35.45%
