19/02/2002
Sir Ronnie Flanagan appointed Inspector of Constabulary
Sir Ronnie Flanagan will vacate the Chief Constable's hot seat in favour of taking up a new post with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
As Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie will now inspect a number of UK police forces including its largest – the Metropolitan Police. The appointment was made on the recommendation of the Home Secretary.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, John Reid, welcomed the appointment. He said: "I am delighted to hear of this appointment for Sir Ronnie. He will bring to the job a wealth of experience gained in some of the most demanding and difficult policing circumstances in the world. Policing has been his life. This appointment is a tribute to Sir Ronnie's leadership, to the police service he leads, and to the people of Northern Ireland whom he has served so well."
Alec Attwood, SDLP assembly member and Policing Board member, said "while there are enduring concerns about his approach to policing matters", Sir Ronnie's legacy would be the "safe delivery of policing change and useful intervention in the Patten debate".
The Chief Constable handed in his resignation three months ago and was expected to leave the post on February 28. The process to find his successor begins on Thursday when the Policing Board next meets to discuss possible candidates.
Should Sir Ronnie depart before a successor is installed, Deputy Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn will head the service during the interregnum period.
Sir Ronnie played centre stage in a bitter row with the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan following her report into the Omagh bomb investigation. In an impassioned response to damaging conclusions reached by the ombudsman, Sir Ronnie famously said that he would "not only resign, but publicly commit suicide".
Some relatives of the victims of the Omagh bomb had welcomed the prospect of his departure, and the Omagh Victims' Group said only his leaving will mark the new beginning of policing.
Sir Ronnie's leaving will not end the friction between the police and the ombudsman as the Police Association has filed legal proceedings against Mrs O'Loan for her "unlawful, unfair and inaccurate" report. An application seeking leave to apply for a judicial review is expected next week.
(GMcG)
As Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie will now inspect a number of UK police forces including its largest – the Metropolitan Police. The appointment was made on the recommendation of the Home Secretary.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, John Reid, welcomed the appointment. He said: "I am delighted to hear of this appointment for Sir Ronnie. He will bring to the job a wealth of experience gained in some of the most demanding and difficult policing circumstances in the world. Policing has been his life. This appointment is a tribute to Sir Ronnie's leadership, to the police service he leads, and to the people of Northern Ireland whom he has served so well."
Alec Attwood, SDLP assembly member and Policing Board member, said "while there are enduring concerns about his approach to policing matters", Sir Ronnie's legacy would be the "safe delivery of policing change and useful intervention in the Patten debate".
The Chief Constable handed in his resignation three months ago and was expected to leave the post on February 28. The process to find his successor begins on Thursday when the Policing Board next meets to discuss possible candidates.
Should Sir Ronnie depart before a successor is installed, Deputy Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn will head the service during the interregnum period.
Sir Ronnie played centre stage in a bitter row with the Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan following her report into the Omagh bomb investigation. In an impassioned response to damaging conclusions reached by the ombudsman, Sir Ronnie famously said that he would "not only resign, but publicly commit suicide".
Some relatives of the victims of the Omagh bomb had welcomed the prospect of his departure, and the Omagh Victims' Group said only his leaving will mark the new beginning of policing.
Sir Ronnie's leaving will not end the friction between the police and the ombudsman as the Police Association has filed legal proceedings against Mrs O'Loan for her "unlawful, unfair and inaccurate" report. An application seeking leave to apply for a judicial review is expected next week.
(GMcG)
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02 April 2002
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Ronnie bows out
The man who has come to represent the public face of the police service, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has officially retired as the Chief Constable of Northern Ireland’s new police service. Sir Ronnie Flanagan, 50, has been a police officer for three decades - effectively the lifespan of the present conflict in Northern Ireland.
PSNI Chief Constable Sir Ronnie bows out
The man who has come to represent the public face of the police service, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has officially retired as the Chief Constable of Northern Ireland’s new police service. Sir Ronnie Flanagan, 50, has been a police officer for three decades - effectively the lifespan of the present conflict in Northern Ireland.
08 February 2002
Policing Board revamp investigation in bid to end rift
In a bid to end the rift between the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable, the Policing Board have decided to appoint a senior officer from England to conduct the investigation into the Omagh bombing.
Policing Board revamp investigation in bid to end rift
In a bid to end the rift between the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable, the Policing Board have decided to appoint a senior officer from England to conduct the investigation into the Omagh bombing.
24 January 2007
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
06 February 2008
Sir Ronnie's Policing Review Ready
Beleaguered former PSNI and Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, is back in the news. Fresh from defying calls for his resignation, on foot of criticisms of the police’s handling of the failed Omagh bomb trial, he is set to announce new measures to cut police ‘form filling’.
Sir Ronnie's Policing Review Ready
Beleaguered former PSNI and Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, is back in the news. Fresh from defying calls for his resignation, on foot of criticisms of the police’s handling of the failed Omagh bomb trial, he is set to announce new measures to cut police ‘form filling’.
19 December 2001
Police Ombudsman and Chief Constable in talks
Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan, have held talks over the Omagh bomb inquiry. A public row between Sir Ronnie and Mrs O'Loan broke out last week following the publication of a critical report into the RUC handling of the Omagh investigation.
Police Ombudsman and Chief Constable in talks
Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan, have held talks over the Omagh bomb inquiry. A public row between Sir Ronnie and Mrs O'Loan broke out last week following the publication of a critical report into the RUC handling of the Omagh investigation.