Northern Ireland

New appointments to Policing Board

New Chair of the Policing Board Doug Garrett.
New Chair of the Policing Board Doug Garrett. New Chair of the Policing Board Doug Garrett.

The Policing Board has elected Doug Garrett and Tom Frawley as the new Chair and Vice Chair of the oversight body

Both men, who previously served as independent members of the board, were appointing during the first meeting to be held via tele-conference as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

Mr Garrett was CEO of the Blackpool Regeneration Company, and a non-executive Director of Blackpool Hospital Trust.

He has also worked with communities and partnerships in Belfast as Operations Director at Laganside Corporation.

He will replace Anne Connolly who stood down earlier this year.

Mr Garrett said: "I am humbled to have been elected as Chair of the Policing Board and I look forward to working with Board Members, the Chief Constable and his team and all those with an interest in policing matters in the time ahead".

Mr Frawley was the Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints.

Previously he was the Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Services Board for 20 years.

He is also a member of the Audit Committee for the Irish Ombudsman and Information Commissioner and for the Welsh Public Services Ombudsman.

He replaces former vice chair Debbie Watters who also left the post earlier this year.

"I am honoured to have been elected to this role and will endeavour to work corporately with the Board in an independent and fair manner. In addition to supporting and overseeing the PSNI, the Board has a substantial programme of work to be undertaken and I look forward to working with the Chair and Board Members", said Mr Frawley.