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30/05/2002
Met officer to face test of NI policing climate
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hugh Orde has been appointed as the next Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The Policing Board concluded their round of final interviews on Wednesday afternoon, but the announcement of the appointment to the Province's £130,000-a-year top police job was delayed as the eight-strong panel deliberated their final decision.
The appointment, to what is widely recognised to be one of the toughest policing posts in Europe, has received the approval of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland John Reid.
Dr Reid said that he was "certain that the Board had found a more than able new Chief Constable in Mr Orde."
There has been unease in Unionist circles at the appointment, particularly as it transpired that the panel had been split over the appointment. Lord Kilclooney, John Taylor, said that the appointment was a "controversial decision" and that he was concerned that it would not be well received in Northern Ireland.
Fellow unionist Fred Cobain who was on the selection panel said that no one should have been appointed and claimed that an Inspectors of Constabularies advisor had said that none of the candidates was up to the job.
However, Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Desmond Rea said that the selection process had been rigorous with Mr Orde winning through in the overall score and not by a vote.
At a press conference held after the appointment was announced Mr Orde said the job was not for the "faint-hearted", and was one of the "ultimate challenges" in policing.
He said: "The Patten Report, the Police Ombudsman, the Policing Board, the new drive towards community policing, all provide a huge opportunity to deliver one of the most effective police services in a world - a model that others may wish to follow.
"To be involved in that will be a huge privilege. I see it as a post of huge importance not only with Northern Ireland but nationally and internationally."
Hugh Orde, 43, who is Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, has spent two-and-a-half years reinvestigating the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane. He joins the PSNI in the unusual position of having to enact the recommendations of the Stevens Inquiry, in which he was involved as a senior investigator.
Mr Orde beat off the challenges from two other contenders for the post, PSNI Assistant Chief Constables Alan McQuillan and Chris Albiston.
Earlier in the year PSNI Acting Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn announced he would not be applying for the top post. Mr Cramphorn has been Acting Chief Constable since Sir Ronnie Flanagan retired at the end of March.
(SP)
The Policing Board concluded their round of final interviews on Wednesday afternoon, but the announcement of the appointment to the Province's £130,000-a-year top police job was delayed as the eight-strong panel deliberated their final decision.
The appointment, to what is widely recognised to be one of the toughest policing posts in Europe, has received the approval of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland John Reid.
Dr Reid said that he was "certain that the Board had found a more than able new Chief Constable in Mr Orde."
There has been unease in Unionist circles at the appointment, particularly as it transpired that the panel had been split over the appointment. Lord Kilclooney, John Taylor, said that the appointment was a "controversial decision" and that he was concerned that it would not be well received in Northern Ireland.
Fellow unionist Fred Cobain who was on the selection panel said that no one should have been appointed and claimed that an Inspectors of Constabularies advisor had said that none of the candidates was up to the job.
However, Chairman of the Policing Board Professor Desmond Rea said that the selection process had been rigorous with Mr Orde winning through in the overall score and not by a vote.
At a press conference held after the appointment was announced Mr Orde said the job was not for the "faint-hearted", and was one of the "ultimate challenges" in policing.
He said: "The Patten Report, the Police Ombudsman, the Policing Board, the new drive towards community policing, all provide a huge opportunity to deliver one of the most effective police services in a world - a model that others may wish to follow.
"To be involved in that will be a huge privilege. I see it as a post of huge importance not only with Northern Ireland but nationally and internationally."
Hugh Orde, 43, who is Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, has spent two-and-a-half years reinvestigating the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane. He joins the PSNI in the unusual position of having to enact the recommendations of the Stevens Inquiry, in which he was involved as a senior investigator.
Mr Orde beat off the challenges from two other contenders for the post, PSNI Assistant Chief Constables Alan McQuillan and Chris Albiston.
Earlier in the year PSNI Acting Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn announced he would not be applying for the top post. Mr Cramphorn has been Acting Chief Constable since Sir Ronnie Flanagan retired at the end of March.
(SP)
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06 January 2003
Proposals to arm officers with CS spray considered
Unionists have reacted favourably to proposals currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in which PSNI officers will be equipped with CS spray to control public order situations. DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said he had raised the issue at a board meeting in November and backed the move as a "sensible measure".
Proposals to arm officers with CS spray considered
Unionists have reacted favourably to proposals currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in which PSNI officers will be equipped with CS spray to control public order situations. DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jr said he had raised the issue at a board meeting in November and backed the move as a "sensible measure".
08 February 2007
Chief Constable 'appointed on merit'
During a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board yesterday, members discussed the advertisement published by the SDLP in the Irish News on January 26 2007, regarding the appointment of the Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, in 2002.
Chief Constable 'appointed on merit'
During a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board yesterday, members discussed the advertisement published by the SDLP in the Irish News on January 26 2007, regarding the appointment of the Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, in 2002.
26 March 2004
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
PSNI performance figures released
Newly released PSNI performance figures have revealed that although the detection rate for violent crime has increased, it is still well below the target set by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The targets are set in the Annual Policing Plan which the Board publishes every March.
29 March 2004
Assistant Chief Constable praises DPP members
The PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner has praised the 'courage and commitment' of members of Northern Ireland's District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) whose work has, in many cases, been carried out in the face of intimidation and threats.
Assistant Chief Constable praises DPP members
The PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner has praised the 'courage and commitment' of members of Northern Ireland's District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) whose work has, in many cases, been carried out in the face of intimidation and threats.
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