NEW PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne takes up his post today.
The former Cheshire Police chief constable succeeds George Hamilton, who announced his retirement after five years in the job earlier this year.
Mr Byrne (56) is expected to speak to the media on his first day in post, which he takes up at a sensitive time at the start of the marching season.
Issues around legacy, the dissident republican threat and the impact of Brexit are also likely to dominate his first months in Northern Ireland.
Hello Northern Ireland and thank you @SirGHamilton Later today I will be sworn in as @PoliceServiceNI Chief Constable. I am privileged to be leading this great service that is working hard to serve our community. https://t.co/fnZAcOKF7Z
— Simon Byrne (@ChiefConPSNI) July 1, 2019
He has 36 years of policing experience – a third of that at high rank.
The Policing Board said Mr Byrne’s appointment was unanimous and his extensive experience made him an attractive candidate.
Swearing in ceremony for new chief constable pic.twitter.com/1pxtBzCmmK
— Sharon O'Neill (@sharon_utv) July 1, 2019
He is the third English police officer to lead the PSNI and spent most of his career in Merseyside Police.
He held senior positions there and at the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police, before his appointment as chief constable of Cheshire in 2014.
