Northern Ireland

Panel to interview prospective candidates for PSNI chief constable not yet decided

George Hamilton is to retire as PSNI chief constable later this year
George Hamilton is to retire as PSNI chief constable later this year George Hamilton is to retire as PSNI chief constable later this year

THE panel of Policing Board members set to interview prospective candidates for the role of the new PSNI chief constable has not yet been decided.

It is also understood that the time-scale for the appointment process has also not yet been set.

George Hamilton last month announced he was to retire as chief constable. He said he had informed the Policing Board of his intention to leave the service in June to spend more time with his family.

Members of the Policing Board, which was established as part of policing reforms after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, will select the person to take over the leading role.

However, it is believed that the process to be undertaken by the board has not yet been decided, with the panel or time-scale not yet allocated.

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The independent public body is made up of 19 political and independent members who work to "ensure for all the people of Northern Ireland an effective, efficient, impartial, representative and accountable police service which will secure the confidence of the whole community, by reducing crime and the fear of crime".

It holds the chief constable to account for the delivery of the policing service.

While it is understood that not all political and independent members will be involved in the process, on previous occasions there has been a representative from each party on the selection panel.

The chair and vice-chair, who are independent members, have also previously sat on the interview panel and on occasions, independent observers have been brought in to oversee the process.

The policing board last night declined to be drawn on the selection process.

But in a statement policing board chair Anne Connolly said: "The appointment of a new chief constable is a priority for the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

"The selection and assessment processes will be based on the key principles of merit, fairness and openness.

"This is a significant leadership position and the board will want to attract a wide range of candidates."