PSNI 'could recruit directly' in fight against cyber crime
The PSNI could be set to change how it recruits in the fight against cyber crime.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne said that he would look at new ways of combating increasingly tech-savvy criminals.
"We're looking at the idea of recruiting direct into the cyber centre," he said.
"I've asked the question of Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray who leads this work.
"When you look at some of the unique skills that people need to operate in this space, could you not recruit someone directly from university with some sort of IT specialism, to work as a detective without going through the traditional probation or constable route?"
However, he denied that this approach would be taken to senior posts within the police service, despite that happening in other UK jurisdictions.
"I don't think at the moment that there's any plans to do that," he said.
"I think there is work to do internally about what we would call a talent pool and fast-tracking talented people within PSNI from all sorts of different backgrounds.
"I don't think the same urgency is required here that may have been the case in England and Wales."
Analysis from our Chief Reporter Damien Edgar:
Technology has formed a key part of the Chief Constable's plans since he took up the post in the summer.
He has promised to bring the PSNI's uniforms up to scratch to make sure they're more lightweight and suited to a very changeable role.
He's also keen to reduce the amount of time officers spend back at base, rather he wants them out and about in neighbourhoods, with a big emphasis on increased visibility.
He believes the way to do that is to give them updated technology to ensure they can log arrests and custody issues from location.
With regards to cyber crime, this is the first time we've seen him discuss a change in recruitment, so it suggests a flexibility on those arrangements.
It's unclear whether this is a definite pledge, but it sounds like the PSNI's top officer is toying with the idea of recruiting cyber-specific officers, which might tie in with the idea of freeing up other officers.