As a chief inspector in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Katrina McMullan is committed to supporting the welfare of her teams and fostering understanding and collaboration between local communities and the PSNI. 

Chief Insp. McMullan overcame significant barriers to become a police officer. Northern Ireland had been significantly affected by an era referred to as “The Troubles,” which left a legacy of distrust amongst sections of the community toward policing, and police were often the targets of violent and even deadly attacks. Chief Insp. McMullan was not deterred—committed to community service and a desire to bridge divides, she joined the PSNI. Although she had to hide her career aspirations from loved ones due to safety concerns, Chief Insp. McMullan persisted, and her experiences motivate her to help others pursue their dreams in the face of skepticism and resistance.

Chief Insp. McMullan has used her position within the PSNI to bring communities together. As a committee member within a Minority Staff Association, Chief Insp. McMullan has arranged a number of inclusivity events inviting representatives from the Catholic Police Guild, the Ethnic Minority Police Association, LGBTQ+ Network, the Disability Staff Network, the Christian Police Association, Autism Support, Northern Ireland Police Staff Association, Women in Policing Association, the Superintendents Association and the Police Federation of Northern Ireland. Through these events, Chief Insp. McMullan has helped empower minority groups within the PSNI.

Chief Insp. McMullan also helped safeguard her teams after the PSNI data breach, taking on the extensive task of organizing and hosting informative events that provided staff with reassurance, guidance, and support. She has also found fulfillment in guiding a new community policing team that has enhanced public safety, built trust, and earned the PSNI’s inaugural Problem Solving Award.

Chief Insp. McMullan has achieved significant milestones in her career, becoming an accredited Public Order Public Safety Bronze Commander in 2019 and earning her degree in Leadership and Management in 2023. 

“Protecting the vulnerable is at the core of our responsibilities as police leaders and I am committed to ensuring that every person feels supported and safeguarded.”