The Police Service of Northern Ireland celebrated its 25th anniversary on Monday with a conference in Belfast attended by 160 delegates.
Speaking ahead of the event, the chief constable characterised the establishment of the force as a pivotal new beginning for policing in the region.
The service emerged from the Royal Ulster Constabulary following work led by Lord Patten, who served as a former government minister.
Officials highlighted that one of the primary goals during this transition was to foster greater community support among the public.
There is also a recognised objective to increase the number of Catholic officers within the ranks.
Despite these achievements, reports indicate that certain groups remain under-represented in today's PSNI.
The gathering serves as a platform to reflect on the milestone and address current challenges facing the organisation.
Delegates are expected to discuss strategies for strengthening police-community partnerships over the coming years.