A freedom of information (FoI) request sent to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has resulted in a huge data breach that has revealed the names of all officers and staff, reminding the country of its dark past. 

Also disclosed were details of where all 10,000 staff worked and what their roles were. The country’s Police Federation said that it could result in “incalculable damage”. The Excel spreadsheet containing the information was published online before swiftly being taken down. 

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd apologised to all officers and staff on behalf of PSNI: “We operate in an environment, at the moment, where there is a severe threat to our colleagues from Northern Ireland-related terrorism and this is the last thing that anybody in the organisation wants to be hearing this evening.

“I owe it to all of my colleagues to investigate this thoroughly and we’ve initiated that.”

It comes just six months after the most recent attack on a Northern Irish police officer by republican paramilitaries. Off-duty officer John Caldwell was left with life-changing injuries when he was shot multiple times by republican dissidents as he was putting footballs into his car boot after coaching his son’s team. 

Consequently, the terrorism threat level was raised from substantial to severe, meaning that an attack is “highly likely”. 

Over 300 police officers were killed in the Troubles and the persistent threat of attacks from republican paramilitaries means that many, particularly from majority unionist communities, keep their employment details secret – even from family and friends. 

The data breach did not however reveal the home addresses of staff. Liam Kelly, chairman of the Police Federation said this fortunate omission means the country has avoided a “potentially calamitous situation”. 

“Rigorous safeguards ought to have been in place to protect this valuable information which, if in the wrong hands, could do incalculable damage,” Kelly added.

“The men and women I represent are appalled by this breach. They are shocked, dismayed and justifiably angry. Like me, they are demanding action to address this unprecedented disclosure of sensitive information.”

Despite having no devolved government since the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) withdrew from parliament in February 2022, Stormont politicians will hold an emergency meeting with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the organisation which oversees the work of the PSNI.

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